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MANUAL  OF  PRAYER; 


TO  ASSIST  CJHRISTIANS 

• 


IN   LEARNING   THE 


SUBJECTS  AND  MODES  OF  DEVOTION. 


WITH   -AN    INTRODUCTION, 
BY  REV.  A.  BARNES. 


THIRD   EDITION,    ENLARGED. 


HENRY  PERKINS,  134  CHESTNUT  STREET. 
BOSTON :  PERKINS  &  MARVIN. 


ENTEUED  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1833,  by 
HENRY  PERKINS, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  Eastern  District  of 
Pennsylvania. 


TEREOTYPED  BY  L.  JOHNSON PHILADELPHIA. 


INTRODUCTION. 


THE  following  work  on  Prayer  was  submitted  to  me 
in  manuscript  by  the  author  for  my  perusal,  before  it 
Was  committed  to  the  press.  It  may  be  proper  to  state 
that  it  has  been  prepared  amidst  the  duties  of  an  indus- 
trious calling,  demanding  necessarily  nearly  the  entire 
hours  of  the  day.  It  has  been  written  during  the  inter- 
vals which  could  be  secured  from  active  duties ;  and  by 
practising  much  self-denial. 

I  have  examined  the  work  in  manuscript,  and  as  it  has 
passed  through  the  press,  with  deep  and  growing  inte- 
rest, and  with  increasingly  augmented  convictions  of  its 
utility,  and  of  the  ability  with  which  it  is  written. 
Some  of  the  characteristics  of  the  work,  I  think,  will  be 
found  to  be  the  following. 

1.  It  is  designed  to  be  an  outline  of  the  subjects  of 
prayer.  It  is  not  intended  to  be  used  as  a  form  of  devo- 
tion ;  but  to  contain  the  leading  sentiments  on  the  various 
topics  of  prayer,  which  it  might  be  desirable  to  em- 
ploy. It  had  its  origin  in  the  author's  own  sense  of  the 
need  of  such  a  work  when  he  became  a  professor  of  reli- 
gion. In  his  private  devotions,  as  well  as  in  his  public 
prayers,  he  deeply  felt  then  the  desirableness  of  some  such 
manual,  that  would  suggest  the  appropriate  language, 
and  the  appropriate  trains  of  thought,  on  the  various 
topics  of  prayer.  This  deeply-felt  necessity  in  his  own 

3 


case,  suggested  to  him  the  idea  that  such  a  work  might  be 
demanded  also  by  the  embarrassments  of  others.  It  was 
supposed  by  him — as  is  undoubtedly  the  case — that 
many  others  may  have  similar  difficulties  when  they  at 
first  make  a  profession  of  religion  :  and  that  they  would 
be  materially  benefited  by  some  such  aid  as  this  volume 
is  designed  to  furnish.  Probably  in  all  our  churches 
there  are  many,  particularly  among  the  young,  who  ex- 
perience much  embarrassment  when  called  to  offer  prayer 
in  public,  and  who  would  be  materially  aided  by  some 
such  work  as  this,  suggesting  the  appropriate  language, 
and  appropriate  Scripture  passages,  on  the  various  topics 
of  prayer.  There  is  no  work,  it  is  believed,  which 
meets  this  deficiency  ;  or  which  will  serve  to  relieve  the 
embarrassment  which  is  so  often  felt.  Unless  I  am 
deceived,  this  work  will,  therefore,  occupy  a  place  which 
is  filled  by  no  other,  and  will  be  found  to  be  a  very  ma- 
terial aid,  particularly  to  the  younger  members  of  the 
churches. 

2.  The  style  is  uncommonly  pure,  simple,  chaste,  and 
remarkably  adapted  to  the  subjects.  It  abounds  with 
Scripture  phrases  and  with  passages  happily  introduced 
and  pertinent  to  the  subject.  It  is  elegant  and  finished, 
without  any  improper  attempt  at  ornament,  and  yet  with 
as  much  ornament  as  is  proper  in  public  prayer.  It  is 
always  serious  and  solemn  ;  always  breathes  a  spirit  of 
true  devotion ;  and  such  as  will  express  the  feelings  of 
elevated  piety  in  an  address  to  God.  It  is  such  as  would 
be  prompted  by  a  well-disciplined  mind,  a  cultivated 
intellect,  and  a  pure  heart ;  a  spirit  chaste,  and  refined, 
and  impressed  with  a  sense  of  the  divine  presence,  and 
of  the  importance  of  the  service  of  prayer,  when  deeply 


conscious  of  addressing  the  great  and  eternal  God.  In 
some  of  the  prayers  there  is  uncommon  beauty  of  Ian 
guage ;  and  if  such  language  should  become  common, 
even  in  the  pulpit,  it  would  materially  conduce  to  the 
interest  which  is  felt  in  this  part  of  public  worship. 
Indeed,  I  know  of  no  book,  except  the  Bible,  by  fami- 
liarity with  whose  modes  of  expression,  even  the  minis- 
ters of  the  gospel  would  be  more  directly  benefited,  than 
this  little  volume.  The  more  it  is  examined,  I  think,  the 
more  will  the  beauty  of  the  language  be  appreciated  and 
felt. 

3.  The  sentiments  are  Scriptural.     The  great  truths 
of  evangelical  Christianity  are  presented,  while  at  the 
same  time  there  is,  probably,  no  sentiment  advanced 
which  could  not  be  uttered,  and  which  is  not  constantly 
uttered,  in  prayer,  by  the  great  body  of  Christians  of  all 
denominations.     The  doctrines  of  the  fall  and  ruin  of 
man ;  of  the  depravity  of  the  heart ;  of  its  deep  pollu- 
tions and  evil  tendencies ;  of  the  divinity  and  incarna- 
tion of  the  Redeemer  :  of  his  atoning  sacrifice  ;  of  justi- 
fication by  his  merits ;  of  the  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
in  renewing  and   sanctifying  the  soul ;  of  the  eternal 
rewards  of  the  righteous,  and  the  eternal  condemnation 
of  the  wicked ;  and  the  obligation  to  a  holy  life,  will  be 
found  to  prevail  everywhere  in  the  work.     At  the  same 
time,  it  is  imbued  with  a  large  and  catholic  spirit.     It 
breathes  benevolence  towards  all.     It  utters  the  language 
of  supplication  for  all.     And  it  would  tend  to  promote  a 
liberal  and  large  spirit  among  all  who  should  use  it. 

4.  It  is  a  work  adapted  to  the  times  in  which  we  live. 
It  is  fitted  to  direct  the  mind  and  the  heart  more  and 
more  towards  the  plans  of  Christian  benevolence,  and  to 

1* 


foster  a  love  for  the  institutions  which  contemplate  the 
salvation  of  the  world.  Its  constant  use  would  make  a 
Christian  more  and  more  the  friend  of  Sabbath-schools  ; 
of  the  poor ;  of  the  afflicted ;  and  of  the  institutions  for 
the  translation  and  spread  of  the  Bible,  and  for  spread- 
ing the  gospel  around  the  world.  Prayer,  formed  after 
the  models  here  presented,  would  breathe  always  the 
benevolent  spirit  of  the  gospel,  and  would  be  fitted  to 
foster  in  the  hearts  of  Christians,  elevated  views  of 
devotion,  and  Christian  benevolence,  and,  at  the  same 
time,  tend  to  secure  the  divine  co-operation  and  blessing 
on  the  great  enterprises  for  the  conversion  of  this  whole 
world  to  Christ. 

With  these  characteristics,  this  book  will  do  good,  in 
my  humble  judgment,  wherever  it  is  used.  It  will  be 
found  a  material  and  very  valuable  aid  in  the  devotions 
of  the  young;  and  will  tend  to  promote  a  spirit  of  self- 
denial  and  benevolence ;  and  to  diffuse  among  the  fol- 
lowers of  the  Redeemer,  more  ardent  wishes  for  the 
conversion  of  all  mankind  to  God. 

ALBERT  BARNES. 

Philadelphia,  Nov.  29,  1837. 


PREFACE. 


IT  might  be  reasonably  presumed  by  any  one  who 
did  not  know  the  contrary,  that  every  Christian  is 
acquainted  with  all  the  items  of  the  long  catalogue  of 
his  wants  in  the  sight  of  God  ;  and  that  he  is  able  to 
spread  them  before  the  Throne  of  Grace  in  appro- 
priate language.  Yet  every  person,  at  all  intimate 
with  church  members,  and  especially  with  those 
who  are  young  in  the  Christian  life,  has  had  abun- 
dant opportunity  to  observe,  that  most  of  them  know 
but  few  of  their  religious  necessities,  as  subjects  of 
prayer ;  and  that  they  are  in  consequence  without 
definite  feelings  respecting  them,  and  adequate 
words  to  express  them. 

The  influence  of  prayer,  in  forming  private  piety, 
and  in  giving  tone  to  the  character  and  success  to 
the  efforts  of  the  church,  is  fully  acknowledged  by 
all.  Indeed  the  theory  of  all  God's  people  is,  that 
without  this  instrumentality  religion  would  die  as 
surely  and  as  speedily  as  the  panting  animal  in  an 
exhausted  receiver.  And  their  views  are  equally 
positive,  that  with  this  means  of  grace,  used  in  its 
fullest  power,  a  mental  and  moral  renovation  would 
take  place  through  all  the  earth's  inhabitants,  that 
would  be  almost  as  complete  and  blessed  in  its  kind 

7 


8 

as  that  creation  of  a  new  heaven  and  a  new  earth, 
wherein  dwelleth  righteousness. 

It  is,  moreover,  a  conceded  fact,  that  the  devotional 
character  of  Christians  by  no  means  keeps  pace  with 
their  religious  activities.  Action,  action,  is  the 
watchword  of  their  present  history  :  and  it  is  surely 
a  requisite  of  obedience  to  God.  But  without  prayer 
it  becomes  a  mere  lifeless  apparatus.  Nor  will  it 
be  regarded  as  uncharitable  to  say,  that  a  large 
amount  of  their  efforts,  in  each  of  the  various  de- 
partments of  benevolent  enterprise,  is  deficient  in 
this  vitality ;  and  that  in  this  defectiveness  we  find 
the  explanation,  why  their  success  is  so  utterly 
disproportioned  to  their  exertions. 

Yet  notwithstanding  these  correct  opinions,  so 
generally  entertained,  it  is  still  a  melancholy  truth, 
that  but  few  professing  Christians  carry  them  out 
into  practice.  Individual  piety,  except  in  compara- 
tively few  instances,  still  lingers  in  its  infancy.  The 
church  of  Christ  is  still  feeble  in  her  energies,  and 
limited  in  her  triumphs ;  and  the  latter-day  glory 
which  might  even  now,  so  far  as  human  agency  is 
concerned,  be  pouring  the  full  blaze  of  its  meridian 
splendours  over  a  regenerated  world,  is  only  dimly 
seen  in  the  distant  sky,  breaking  the  outline  of 
darkness  with  the  faint  promise  of  future  light. 

The  inquiry  naturally  arises — "  Why  have  not 
Christians  used  this  power  of  prayer?"  The  an- 
swer submitted  here  is,  that  a  principal  reason  is  to 


be  found  in  the  fact  that,  as  a  body,  they  have  never 
made  its  various  topics  matters  of  close  and  heart- 
felt familiarity  and  suitable  expression,  in  their 
private  devotions.  They  have  not  furnished  their 
understandings  with  a  particular  knowledge  of  the 
things  they  need,  nor  exercised  their  affections  by 
the  frequent  presentation  of  them  before  God,  in  all 
their  particularity,  and  in  language  that  will  at  once 
express  and  excite  the  feelings  suitable  to  such  an 
important  service. 

The  following  work  has  been  humbly  undertaken 
with  the  view  of  furnishing  Christians,  and  especi- 
ally young  converts,  with  a  manual  of  the  subjects 
and  modes  of  prayer  ;  and  thus  of  pointing  out  (if 
not  of  supplying  to  some  extent)  the  means  of  re- 
medying the  deficiencies  noticed  above.  The  au- 
thor is  fully  aware  that  his  effort  is  a  feeble  one. 
His  path  was  untrodden  and  difficult ;  and  it  ought 
not  to  be  wondered  at,  if  he  has  cast  up  a  highway 
which  the  traveller  will  not  find  to  be  level  and  direct 
in  all  its  length.  Moreover,  the  peculiar  character 
of  the  undertaking  has  forbidden  the  frequent  use  of 
such  ornaments  of  style  as  are  permitted  in  almost 
every  other  composition  ;  and  it  has  thus  been  left 
nearly  destitute  of  literary  interest. 

This  volume  should  not  be  regarded  merely  as  a 
book  of  forms.  It  has  not  been  the  intention  of  the 
writer  to  furnish  a  complete  prayer  under  each  topic ; 
but  to  offer  the  leading  ideas  which  would  seem  to 


10 

belong  to  each,  to  arrange  them  in  some  order,  and 
to  give  them  a  scriptural  and  evangelical  expression. 
The  proper  use  of  the  book,  it  is  hoped,  will  store 
the  reader's  memory  with  a  vocabulary  of  his  wants, 
supply  his  understanding  with  a  train  of  thought 
suitable  to  them,  and  give  his  heart  an  intelligent  and 
fervent  habit  of  stated  and  ejaculatory  devotion. 

It  may  be  considered  a  serious  defect  by  many 
devout  persons,  that  these  topics  are  not  severally 
closed  by  the  invocation  of  a  blessing  through  the 
Mediator,  or  an  ascription  of  praise  to  God.  They 
do  not,  however,  appear  justly  liable  to  this  charge, 
inasmuch  as  they  are  intended  only  as  parts  of  pray- 
er, which,  except  in  special  cases,  are  to  be  employ- 
ed in  various  combinations  with  other  parts,  at  the 
user's  pleasure.  The  important  and  essential  feature 
of  a  distinct  reference  to  the  merits  of  the  Saviour, 
will,  it  is  expected,  be  found  in  sufficient  frequency 
throughout  the  body  of  the  work ;  and  it  is  pre- 
sumed, that  every  Christian  is  competent  and  mind- 
ful, in  closing  his  petitions,  to  supply  that  part  of  the 
exercise  which  is  technically  called  the  "blessing." 

As  some  may  be  disappointed  in  not  finding  par- 
ticular points  more  copiously  expressed,  it  may  be 
remarked  that  this  apparent  deficiency  will,  in  most 
cases,  be  found  supplied  under  other  heads ;  the 
language  of  which  could  not  be  used  at  the  points 
that  may  be  noticed  as  defective,  without  unpleasant 
and  unnecessary  repetition. 


11 

Others  may  think  that  there  is  too  great  a  dispro- 
portion between  the  personal  and  intercessory  sup- 
plications. The  mode  pursued  has  been  intention- 
ally adopted,  so  as  to  give  a  greater  degree  of  unity 
to  the  work.  Although  intercessory  prayer  is  intro- 
duced in  lesser  proportions  than  might  seem  conso- 
nant with  the  petitioner's  strong  yearnings  of  heart 
for  the  best  welfare  of  mankind  ;  yet  it  was  known 
that  but  little  more  than  the  mere  substitution  of 
pronouns,  would  make  nearly  the  whole  language 
of  the  book  available  in  supplicating  blessings  on 
others. 

It  has  been  a  sedulous  desire  throughout  these 
pages,  to  keep  them  free  from  sectarian  peculiarities, 
and  to  furnish  a  volume  which  would  (without  of- 
fence to  any)  contribute  to  the  devotion  of  every 
evangelical  denomination.  If  any  bias  should  be 
discovered  in  it,  the  reader  may  be  assured  that  it 
was  wholly  unintentional. 

This  work  is  principally  designed  to  furnish  an 
assistant  to  closet  devotion.  But  the  plan  it  sug- 
gests, is  not  intended  to  end  with  this  advantage. 
It  is  well  known  that  the  business  of  leading  in 
public  prayer  is  limited  to  a  few,  who  are  gifted 
with  more  courage,  capacity,  or  zeal,  than  the  large 
majority  of  the  church  ;  which  is  thus  left  without 
employment  in  that  particular  sphere  of  Christian 
duty.  The  hope  is  entertained  that  the  system  of 
devotional  thought,  presented  in  these  pages,  will 


12 

assist  in  bringing  out  into  this  service,  some  who, 
having  been  intimidated  by  its  difficulties,  are  now 
relying  supinely  on  the  gifts  of  their  more  favoured 
brethren.  It  should  be  a  prominent  object  with 
every  church  to  have  a  numerous  band,  who  are  able 
intelligently  and  fervently  to  lead  its  devotions:  but 
the  great  body  of  church-members  will  noj.  be  able 
to  discharge  this  important  duty  without  diligent 
attention  to  the  gifts  and  graces  of  supplication. 

It  should  not  be  understood  that  the  author  regards 
the  machinery  of  prayer  as  possessing  more  value 
than  its  spirit.  Far,  very  far  otherwise.  It  would 
be  infinitely  better  to  employ  the  broken  and  dis- 
jointed sentences  of  untutored  but  craving  religious 
want,  than  to  use  with  heartless  formality  the  most 
finished  liturgy.  Still  it  is  true,  on  the  whole,  that 
the  excellency  and  efficacy  of  prayer  will  depend 
very  much  on  our  knowing,  definitely  and  thorough- 
ly, what  we  want,  and  how  to  express  our  desires. 

THE  AUTHOR. 

October,  1837 


CONTENTS. 


Page 

17 
18 
19 
20 
22 
23 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
31 

32 
33 

34 
36 
ib. 
38, 
39 
40 

41 
ib. 
42 
44 
45 
47 
49 
51 
2 

Communion  with  God.  . 
Communion  of  Saints.  .  . 

Page 

53 

54 
55 
56 
ib. 
58 
60 
61 
ib. 
63 

ib. 
66 
68 
ib. 
70 
71 

73 
74 
ib. 
76 

77 

78 
79 
80 
81 

Adoration 

Condescension  of  God.  . 

All-sufficiency  of  God  .  .  . 
Angels  ...               ... 

Confidence  in  God  

Anorer 

Apprentices  . 

Assurance 

Atheism  

Atonement  

Conversation.  —  See 
Tongue. 
Conversion  

Backsliding  

Courage 

Bible.  —  See  Scriptures. 
Birth-day  

C 

Blessing  of  God.  ....... 

Blind  

B  usiness 

Deaf  and  Dumb  

Death  

Decision  .  .       

Charity  

Dependence  

Chastity  

Depravity.  —  See  Human 
Depravity. 
Diligence  

Cheerfulness  

Doubts 

Church  

Duelling  . 

Cities  

Dutv.  .  , 

13 

14 


Page 

EarlyPiety 83 

Education 84 

Envy 85 

Error 86 

Eternity ib. 

Eternity  of  God 87 

Evil 88 

Example 89 

Existence  of  God 90 

Faith ib. 

Falsehood 92 

Families 93 

Fasting 95 

Fathers 96 

Fear 97 

Fellowship. — See  Com- 
munion. 

Forbearance 98 

Forbearance  of  God. ...  99 

Foreknowledge 100 

Forgiveness ib. 

Frugality 102 

Gaming ib. 

Gentleness 103 

Glory  of  God 104 

God.  —  See  Adoration, 
Existence,  Omnipre- 
sence, 8fC. 

Godliness 106 

Good   Works 107 

Goodness  of  God 108 

Gospel 109 

Government Ill 

Grace 112 

Gratitude 114 

Grave 116 

Grief. 118 

Happiness 119 


Page 

Health 120 

Heart 121 

Heathen 123 

Heaven 125 

Hell 127 

Holiness 129 

Holiness  of  God 130 

Holy  Spirit 132 

Home  Missions 134 

Honesty 135 

Hope 136 

Hospitality 1 37 

Human  Depravity ib." 

Humility 139 

Hypocrisy 141 

Idolatry 142 

Immortality. — See  Eter- 
nity, Heaven,  Hell, 
Soul. 

Immutability  of  God. ...  143 
Incomprehensibleness   of 

God 144 

Independency  of  God. . .  ib. 

Infidelity 145 

Inquirers 146 

Intemperance 147 

Intercession 149 

Jews 150 

Jesus  Christ 151 

Joy 156 

Judgment 158 

Justice  of  God 1,5,9 

Justification 1GO 

Knowledge 161 

Law  of  God.  * 162 

Levity 161 


15 


Page 


165 

Life  

ib. 

Long-suffering.  —  See 

Forbearance. 

Lord's  Supper.  ........ 

166 

Love  of  God  

169 

Love  to  God  

170 

Love  to  Man  

171 

172 

Lunatics  

173 

174 

Malice  

175 

Marriage  

ib. 

Masters  

177 

Means  of  Grace  

ib. 

178 

Meditation  

179 

Meekness  

181 

Memory  

ib. 

Mercy  

182 

184 

Ministry  

185 

Missions.  —  See  Heathen, 

Idolatry,  Home  Mis- 

sions. 

Mohammedans  

188 

Morning  

ib. 

Mothers  

189 

191 

Nature  

192 

New  Year  

193 

Night  

195 

Obedience  

196 

Old  Age  

198 

Omnipotence  

199 

200 

201 

Page 

Orphanage 202 

Ostentation 203 

Pardon 204 

Parents. — See    Fathers, 

Mothers. 

Passions 205 

Patience 206 

Peace 207 

Persecution 208 

Perseverance 209 

Piety 210 

Pity 211 

Popery 212 

Poverty 213 

Praise 214 

Prayer 215 

Press 218 

Pride 220 

Prisons 221 

Privileges. — See  Means  of 

Grace. 

Procrastination 222 

Profanity 223 

Promises 224 

Prosperity 225 

Providence 227 

Prudence 228 

Regeneration. — See  Con- 
version. 

Repentance ib. 

Reproof. 230 

Resignation. — See  Afflic- 
tion, Submission. 

Resurrection 231 

Retirement 232 

Revenge ib. 

Revivals 233 

Riches. — See  Prosperity. 

Righteousness 236 


16 


Sabbath 236 

Sabbath-schools '239 

Sacrament. — See  Lord's 
Supper. 

Sacred  Music 242 

Salvation 243 

Sanctuary 245 

Sanctification 247 

Satan 248 

Saviour.  —  See  Jesus 
Christ  and  Christmas. 

Scriptures 249 

Seamen 25 1 

Self-consecration 252 

Self-denial 253 

Self-deception 254 

Self-examination 255 

Selfishness 256 

Seminaries 257 

Servants 259 

Sickness ib. 

Sin 261 

Sinners 263 

Slander 265 

Slavery ib. 

Sorrow. — See  Grief. 

Soul 268 

Sovereignty  of  God 269 

Spirit.— See  Holy  Ghost. 

Spirituality 271 

Spring 272 

Submission 274 

Summer 275 

Swearing. — See    Profa- 
nity. 


Talents 277    Zeal 


Teachers 27V 

Temper 280 

Temperance.  —  See    In" 
temperance. 

Temptation 281 

Thanksgiving 282 

Theatre 283 

Theft 284 

Time.— See  Life. 

Tongue 285 

Tracts 286 

Travelling 287 

Trinity 288 

Trust. — See  Confidence. 

Truth 289 

Unbelief. 290 

Understanding 291 

Union ib. 

Usefulness 292 

War 293 

Watchfulness 294 

Widowhood 295 

Will 296 

Will  of  God.— See   Obe- 
dience, Submission. 

Winter 296 

Wisdom 298 

Wisdom  of  God 299 

World 300 

Worship 301 


Young  Converts 302 

Youth 303 


305 


*0£flPSs> 

._  _^.  __.    m*m  OK  ma 


MANUAL    OF  PRAYER. 


ACCOUNTABILITY. 

O  THOU  Judge  of  the  quick  and  the  dead,  make 
me  realize  that  I  am  responsible  to  thee  for  all  my 
thoughts,  words,  and  actions  ;  and  in  all  my  duties 
and  privileges.  Thou  knowest  all  the  thoughts  of 
my  mind,  with  all  the  works  of  my  life ;  and  thou 
makest  record  of  them : — and  for  all  these  thou  wilt 
bring  me  into  judgment,  whether  they  be  good  or 
evil.  Then  there  shall  be  nothing  that  now  is  co- 
vered, that  shall  not  be  revealed  ;  and  hid,  that  shall 
not  be  made  known  :  and  it  shall  be  more  tolerable 
for  Sodom  and  Gomorrah  than  for  my  soul,  if  I  fail 
to  serve  thee  now  in  reverence  and  godly  fear.  For 
even  the  earth  that  drinketh  in  the  rain,  that  cometh 
oft  upon  it,  and  bringeth  forth  herbs  meet  for  them 
by  whom  it  is  dressed,  receiveth  blessing  from  God ; 
but  that  which  beareth  thorns  and  briers  is  rejected, 
arid  is  nigh  unto  cursing;  whose  end  is  to  be  burned. 
O  let  not  my  stewardship  of  thy  mercies  be  one  of 
wilful  sin,  of  abused  privileges,  and  neglected  du- 
ties ;  but  grant  that  in  all  things  I  may  strive,  in  the 
grace  of  Christ,  to  work  out  my  salvation  with  fear 
and  trembling. 

Lord,  excite  me  to  diligent  labour  on  behalf  of 

thy  church  and  of  sinners.     May  I  feel  that  I  am 

bound  to  do  good  as  I  have  opportunity ;  looking 

diligently  to  the  judgment  of  that  day,  when  the 

2*  17 


18 

unprofitable  servant  shall  be  cast  into  outer  dark- 
ness, while  he  that  has  been  faithful  shall  enter, 
through  the  atonement  of  Christ,  into  the  joy  of  his 
Lord.  And  unto  him  that  is  able  to  keep  me  from 
falling,  and  to  present  me  faultless  before  the  pre- 
sence of  his  glory  with  exceeding  joy ;  to  the  only 
wise  God  our  Saviour,  be  glory  and  majesty,  do- 
minion and  power,  both  now  and  forever. 

ADOPTION. 

Lord,  wilt  thou  give  me  the  spirit  of  adoption,  by 
which  I  may  cry  "Abba,  Father?"  I  am  indeed 
Vhine  offspring  by  creation.  May  I  be  thine  by 
adoption :  and  be  thou  my  parent  in  that  nobler 
relation,  of  a  reconciled  God  and  Father  in  the 
Lord  Jesus.  Make  me  one  of  the  number,  and  give 
me,  through  the  merits  of  Christ,  a  title  to  the  pri- 
vileges, of  thy  dear  children.  Behold  !  what  manner 
of  love  the  Father  hath  bestowed  on  them,  that  they 
should  be  called  the  sons  of  God  ! 

O  grant  that  in  indulging  this  hope,  I  may  purify 
myself,  even  as  thou  art  pure.  Make  it  a  spirit  of 
tenderness  and  reverence,  of  gratitude  and  love,  of 
obedience  and  zeal.  May  it  give  me  access  to  thy 
throne  with  an  humble  confidence  in  the  faith  of 
Christ,  of  whom  the  whole  family  in  heaven  and 
earth  is  named ;  and  keep  me  from  that  spirit  of 
bondage,  that  servile  fear  and  slavish  formality  in 
duty,  which  will  make  me  as  a  hired  servant,  in- 
stead of  an  heir,  in  my  Father's  house.  May  it 
enable  me  in  all  the  vicissitudes  of  life  to  look  up 
to  thee  as  infinitely  able  and  willing  to  bless  me 
with  thy  paternal  gifts :  for  if  earthly  parents  know 
how  to  give  good  gifts  to  their  children,  much  more 
will  our  heavenly  Father  give  his  Holy  Spirit  to 


19 

them  that  ask  him.  Grant  that  thy  Spirit  may  bear 
witness  with  mine  that  I  am  thy  child ;  and  if  a 
child,  then  an  heir,  and  a  joint-heir  with  Christ,  in 
that  inheritance  which  fadeth  not  away. 

Look  in  mercy,  O  God,  on  thy  children  by  na- 
ture, who  are  wandering  as  prodigals  from  their 
home,  and  are  living  without  God  in  the  world. 
Touch  their  hearts  with  a  feeling  of  their  wants  and 
their  apostasy ;  and  do  thou  bring  many  back,  who 
shall  say  they  have  sinned  against  heaven  and  in 
thy  sight,  and  are  not  worthy  to  be  called  thy  child- 
ren. Establish  them  in  the  fellowship  of  thy 
saints,  and  make  them  heirs  of  the  grace  of  life, 
through  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ* 

ADORATION. 

Adorable  Jehovah,  I  would  praise  thee  for  thine 
excellent  greatness,  Thou  dwellest  in  light  that  is 
inaccessible  and  full  of  glory :  thou  severest  thyself 
with  it  as  with  a  garment ;  and  thou  art  clothed 
with  honour  and  majesty  !  Thou  dwellest  on  high, 
and  humblest  thyself  to  behold  the  things  that  are 
done  in  heaven  and  earth.  Thou  art  infinite,  eter- 
nal, and  unchangeable  in  thy  being,  wisdom,  power, 
holiness,  justice,  goodness,  and  truth.  Thou  art 
not  worshipped  as  though  thou  needest  any  thing  ; 
for  thou  givest  unto  all,  life,  and  breath,  and  all 
things.  Yet  thou  art  exalted  above  principalities 
and  powers,  that  at  thy  name  every  knee  should 
bow,  and  every  tongue  confess. 

O,  thou  art  infinitely  worthy  of  the  everlasting 
adoration  of  all  thy  rational  creatures.  Thou  art 
glorious  in  holiness,  fearful  in  praises,  doing  won- 
ders. In  thee  I  live,  and  move,  and  have  my  being. 
From  thee  I  derive  every  good  and  perfect  gift.  It 


20 

was  thy  power  which  created  me  ;  it  is  thy  wisdom 
that  governs  me ;  thy  goodness  that  provides  for 
me ;  and  thy  grace  that  saves  me.  O  help  me,  ado- 
rable Jehovah,  to  feel  and  express  the  infinite  ex- 
cellencies of  thy  character,  and  to  bow  before  thee 
as  over  all,  God,  blessed  forever ! — \_See  PRAISE, 
and  the  various  Attributes.'] 

AFFLICTION. 

In  the  time  of  trouble,  hide  me  in  thy  pavilion, 
O  Lord  !  Prepare  me  for  meeting  and  bearing  all 
the  adversities  of  life.  Support  or  deliver  me  in 
poverty,  in  sickness,  in  pain,  in  bereavement,  in 
persecution,  in  sorrow,  in  reproach.  Let  the  trial 
of  my  faith  in  all  these  work  patience  and  holiness. 
May  I  endure  as  seeing  him  who  is  invisible  ;  and 
so  repose  on  thy  wisdom  and  goodness,  that  I  may 
say — "  Thy  will  be  done — do  with  me  as  seemeth 
good  in  thy  sight — thou  givest  and  takest  away ; 
blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord."  Though  thy 
judgments  are  unsearchable,  and  thy  ways  past  find- 
ing out,  I  know  that  thou  art  too  wise  to  err ;  for 
thine  understanding  is  infinite.  Thou  art  too  good 
to  be  unkind  ;  for  thou  dost  not  afflict  willingly,  nor 
grieve  the  children  of  men  ;  yea,  whom  thou  lovest 
thou  chastenest,  and  scourgest  every  child  whom 
thou  receivest.  Lord,  cause  my  judgment,  and 
heart,  and  will  to  approve  of  every  measure  of  thy 
correcting  and  reclaiming  love. 

O  Shepherd  of  Israel,  cause  my  every  adversity 
to  be  sanctified  to  me.  Lead  me  to  see  thy  hand 
in  it ;  to  feel  that  my  sins  have  far  more  than  de- 
served it ;  and  to  be  willing  that  thy  justice  may  be 
exalted  at  my  expense,  and  that  I  may  be  brought 


21 

to  acknowledge,  "  I  know,  O  Lord,  that  thy  judg- 
ments are  right,  and  that  in  faithfulness  thou  hast 
afflicted  me."  Show  me  that  my  cup  has  been 
mingled  with  mercies ;  for  the  days  of  my  comforts 
have  far  outnumbered  the  hours  of  my  sorrows — 
that  my  griefs  are  not  peculiar  to  me  ;  for  they  are 
the  lot  of  humanity — that  they  are  not  the  accidents 
of  life  ;  for  thou  dost  all  things — and  that  I  am  not 
called  to  suffer  them  alone;  for  thou  hast  said,  "  I 
will  never  leave  nor  forsake  thee:"  and  thy  rod  and 
staff  they  shall  comfort  and  support  me,  even  in  the 
valley  and  shadow  of  death. 

Lord,  grant  that  thy  grace  may  be  peculiarly  dear 
to  me  in  the  hour  of  trial ;  and  bring  me  out  from 
it  as  gold  that  is  tried  in  a  furnace.  Assure  me, 
that  every  branch  that  beareth  fruit,  thou  purgest, 
that  it  may  bring  forth  more  fruit !  Enable  me  to 
say  with  thy  servant,  "  Before  I  was  afflicted,  I 
went  astray;  but  now  I  have  kept  thy  word."  May 
that  grace  strengthen  me,  that  I  may  glory  in  tribu- 
lation, knowing  that  tribulation  worketh  patience, 
and  patience  a  hope  that  maketh  not  ashamed.  Lead 
me  closer  to  thy  throne,  as  the  only  place  where  I 
may  find  abiding  help  in  every  hour  of  need.  Grant, 
merciful  Father,  that  my  troubles  may  lead  me  to 
sympathise  with  all  who  suffer  in  mind,  body,  or 
estate ;  remembering  them  that  are  in  bonds,  as  be- 
ing bound  with  them  ;  and  them  that  suffer  adver- 
sity, as  being  myself  also  in  the  body.  Lord,  cause 
my  sorrows,  which  indeed  are  but  for  a  moment,  to 
wean  me  from  the  vanities  and  wickedness  of  earth, 
to  prepare  me  for  eternity,  and  to  work  out  for  me 
an  eternal  weight  of  glory :  and  vouchsafe  to  me,  in 
all  of  them,  the  consoling  thought,  that  though  the 
earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle  be  dissolved,  I  have 


22 

a  building  of  God,  a  house  not  made  with  hands, 
eternal  in  the  heavens. 

Grant,  O  Lord,  that  the  impenitent,  when  they 
suffer  affliction,  may  be  so  influenced  by  it  as  after- 
wards to  reap  the  peaceable  fruits  of  righteousness. 
Let  them  not  despise  thy  chastenings,  nor  faint  when 
they  are  rebuked  of  thee.  Show  them  that  unless 
they  repent,  these  are  but  the  beginnings  of  sorrows, 
that  shall  know  no  relief  and  no  end.  Convince 
them  of  sin,  of  righteousness,  and  of  judgment. 
Lead  them  to  repent  and  forsake  the  error  of  their 
ways,  and  to  turn  unto  him  who  maketh  all  things 
work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  him. 

These  prayers  I  offer  through  the  prevailing 
name  of  Jesus;  to  whom,  with  the  Father  and 
Spirit,  be  all  honour  and  rule  forever. 

ALL-SUFFICIENCY     OF     GOD. 

Sovereign  of  the  Universe,  the  heaven  of  heavens 
cannot  contain  thy  fulness.  Thou  art  the  infinite 
source  of  blessedness.  Giving  doth  not  impoverish 
thee,  neither  doth  withholding  make  thee  rich.  It 
is  in  thee  that  my  weakness  is  made  strength,  and 
the  iniquities  of  my  heart  removed.  O  Lord,  let  a 
full  persuasion  of  thy  boundless  sufficiency  fill  my 
heart,  that  I  may  forsake  the  broken  cisterns  of  hu- 
man happiness,  and  go  to  the  fountain  of  living 
waters.  All  that  is  in  the  heaven  and  in  the  earth 
is  thine.  Be  thou  more  precious  to  me  than  music 
to  the  ear,  or  light  to  the  eye,  or  fragrance  to  the 
smell,  or  sweetness  to  the  taste,  or  friendship  to  the 
heart.  Make  thy  love  my  continual  feast.  May 
I  commit  all  my  wants  and  trials  to  thee  ;  may  I  be 
encouraged  in  the  midst  of  danger  and  distress  ;  be 
persuaded  that  infinite  wisdom  and  goodness  govern 


23 

all  thy  dealings ;  and  be  led  to  persevere  in  faith 
and  prayer,  until  the  vision  of  hope  be  exchanged 
for  thine  open  presence,  where  there  is  fulness  of 
joy  and  pleasures  for  evermore  !" 

ANGELS. 

Bless  the  Lord,  ye  his  angels,  that  excel  in 
strength,  that  do  his  commandments ;  hearkening 
unto  the  voice  of  his  word !  Great  God,  do  thou 
exalt  my  intellect  and  purify  my  heart  by  medita- 
tions on  the  nature,  character,  and  employments  of 
the  angels  in  heaven.  Lo !  they  are  an  innumera- 
ble company  of  pure  spirits ;  to  whom  thou  hast 
given  an  endless  life ;  endowing  them  richly  with 
knowledge,  power,  holiness,  and  love.  They  dwell 
forever  in  thy  presence  ;  where  their  eyes  are  never 
dim  with  tears,  nor  their  minds  clouded  by  igno- 
rance ;  where  their  affections  are  never  wounded  by 
grief,  nor  their  hopes  broken  by  disappointment, 
nor  their  hearts  stained  with  guilt.  And  there  they 
do  thy  holy  pleasure  with  all  the  heart,  and  without 
delay,  and  continually. 

I  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  revealed  to  us  that 
these  exalted  beings  sympathize  deeply  in  the  wel- 
fare of  the  children  of  men.  The  incarnate  Son  of 
God  was  proclaimed  to  the  shepherds  of  Bethlehem 
by  the  angel  of  the  Lord,  with  the  message  of  glad 
tidings  of  great  joy,  which  shall  be  to  all  people : 
and  a  multitude  of  the  heavenly  host,  that  sang  to- 
gether over  man's  creation,  and  mourned  over  his 
fall,  praised  God  in  an  anthem  of  good-will  to  man. 
And  now,  though  it  is  their  privilege  to  scan  widely 
the  wonders  of  creation,  and  search  deeply  into  the 
mysteries  of  providence ;  though  they  find  ample 
employment  and  delight  in  the  reciprocal  joys  of 


24 

their  own  blessed  fraternity  of  wisdom,  holiness, 
and  love — though  they  dwell  in  the  absorbing  and 
vivifying  transports  of  the  open  vision  of  the  Most 
High — yet  there  is  joy  in  their  presence  over  one 
sinner  that  repenteth  ! 

Lord,  teach  me  the  value  of  that  scheme  of  re- 
demption which  the  angels  desire  to  look  into. 
There  they  learn  the  dignity  of  thy  law,  the  rigour 
of  thy  justice,  the  immutability  of  thy  truth,  the 
depravity  of  man,  the  peril  of  his  guilt,  and  the 
glory  of  thy  mercy.  O  God,  suffuse  my  heart  with 
shame,  that  the  plan  of  repentance  and  salvation,  in 
which  thou  hast  condensed  the  perfections  of  thy 
character,  for  the  adoring  wonder  and  excited  love 
of  perfect  spirits,  should  be  so  often  to  my  soul  only 
as  a  dream  when  one  awaketh  ! 

Gracious  Lord,  I  praise  thy  mercy  which  sends 
forth  these  messengers  of  thy  power  and  grace,  to 
minister  for  them  who  shall  be  heirs  of  salvation. 
Grant,  I  beseech  thee,  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  that  I 
may  belong  to  those  children  of  adoption,  whose 
beds  they  watch,  whose  hearts  they  comfort,  and 
whose  ways  they  protect. 

Heavenly  Father,  prepare  me  for  fellowship  with 
that  blessed  throng,  when  the  season  of  my  earthly 
probation  shall  close.  Enable  me  now,  according 
to  the  feebleness  of  human  nature,  to  do  thy  will  as 
it  is  done  in  heaven.  And  when,  at  the  end  of  the 
world,  the  reapers  shall  come  forth  to  gather  the 
tares  in  bundles,  to  burn  them,  but  the  wheat  into 
the  barn,  grant  that  I  may  be  garnered  with  thy 
saints ;  and  that  I  may  have  my  spirit  made  perfect 
in  the  everlasting  communion  of  the  sons  of  God  ! 

God  of  Justice,  admonish  my  fear  of  the  guilt  and 
punishment  of  sin  by  the  awful  example  of  those 


25 

rebel  angels,  who  kept  not  their  first  estate,  but  left 
their  own  habitation,  and  are  reserved  in  everlasting 
chains,  under  darkness,  until  the  judgment  of  the 
great  day.  Preserve  me,  I  pray  thee,  from  the 
power  of  that  spirit  that  now  worketh  in  the  hearts 
of  the  children  of  disobedience.  Help  me  to  wres- 
tle against  the  rulers  of  the  darkness  of  this  world, 
and  to  bruise  Satan  under  my  feet,  in  the  strength 
of  the  God  of  peace. 

ANGER. 

Lord,  strengthen  me  by  thy  grace,  that  I  may 
restrain  and  conquer  my  propensities  to  unholy 
anger.  Let  it  not  cloud  my  brow,  nor  envenom 
my  tongue,  nor  vex  my  heart.  Let  gentleness, 
courtesy,  and  kindness  spread  themselves,  like  the 
green  covering  of  earth,  over  my  character  and  con- 
duct. Teach  me  that  he  who  ruleth  his  own  spirit 
is  greater  than  he  who  taketh  a  city ;  and  that  he 
who  is  hasty  of  spirit  exalteth  folly,  and  shall  suffer 
punishment.  Show  me  that  a  soft  answer  turneth 
away  wrath,  but  grievous  words  stir  up  strife.  He 
that  soweth  to  the  wind  shall  reap  the  whirlwind ; 
but  the  fruit  of  righteousness  is  sown  in  peace  of 
them  that  make  peace.  May  I  consider  him  who 
endured  the  contradiction  of  sinners,  and  seek  not 
to  avenge  myself,  but  rather  give  place  to  wrath. 
Let  me  do  nothing  in  rashness  and  strife.  Enable 
me,  in  the  exercise  of  candour,  forbearance,  meek- 
ness, and  forgiveness,  to  disarm  every  temptation 
to  sinful  passion,  and  to  cause  the  wrath  of  my  ad- 
versaries to  praise  thee. 

Source  of  Wisdom,  instruct  me  how  I  may  be 
angry  and  sin  not.  Let  me  not  be  indignant  with- 
out cause  and  above  cause.  Give  me  a  holy  dis- 
3 


r 


26 

pleasure  against  transgression ;  but  let  it  be  mingled 
with  a  reclaiming  pity  towards  the  transgressor ; 
and  be  exercised  for  his  good  and  thy  glory. 

APPRE  N  T  1C  E  S. 

O  thou,  who  art  Lord  and  Master  over  all,  bless 
thou  our  youth  who  are  held  at  service  as  appren- 
tices. Instead  of  the  apathy  that  prevails  respect- 
ing them,  do  thou  excite  in  the  community,  and 
especially  in  the  church,  a  strong  solicitude  for  this 
class  of  our  population  ;  who,  in  the  lapse  of  a  few 
years,  will  become  the  muscles  and  sinews  of  so- 
ciety ;  and  who  are  now  moulding  their  own  cha- 
racters for  time  and  eternity.  Lord,  bring  such 
influences  to  bear  on  them,  that  they  may  be  fitted, 
in  mind  and  in  morals,  for  usefulness  to  society ; 
and  that  they  may  be  prepared  for  thy  favour  both 
on  earth  and  in  heaven. 

Heavenly  Father,  teach  them  the  duties  of  their 
station.  Make  them  contented  with  their  circum- 
stances ;  industrious  in  their  callings  ;  faithful,  in  all 
things,  to  the  interests  of  their  masters ;  and  obedi- 
ent to  every  requisition  of  lawful  service.  And  may 
they  be  persuaded  that  the  discharge  of  all  these 
duties  is  demanded  as  much  by  their  own  welfare, 
as  by  the  interests  of  those  whom  they  serve. 

Lord,  secure  for  them  the  kindness  of  their  mas- 
ters. Let  their  personal  comforts,  their  instruction 
in  business,  their  mental  culture,  their  social  habits, 
their  moral  character,  and  their  religious  opportuni- 
ties, be  objects  of  constant  and  conscientious  atten- 
tion. 

Set  before  them,  I  pray  thee,  the  dangers  to 
which  they  are  liable,  by  absence  from  the  scrutiny 
and  protection  of  the  parental  home ;  by  frequent 


27 

exposure  to  the  seductions  of  ungodly  associates  , 
and  by  the  tendencies  to  corruption  in  their  own 
hearts.  O  do  thou  throw  wholesome  restraints 
around  them.  If  sinners  entice  them,  let  them  not 
consent  to  their  persuasions.  Make  them  flee 
youthful  lusts,  that  war  against  the  soul.  Preserve 
them  from  every  form  and  degree  of  temptation. 
Dispose  and  qualify  them  to  discharge  their  present 
duties :  incline  and  prepare  them  to  fill  with  honour 
to  themselves,  and  advantage  to  the  public,  their  fu- 
ture positions  in  life  :  and,  more  than  all  else,  give 
them  the  indenture  of  thine  own  service,  in  which 
thou  makest  the  servant  an  heir,  and  the  bondman 
a  freeman  of  the  Lord. 

ASSURANCE. 

Lord,  grant  me  a  well-grounded  assurance  of  a 
personal  interest  in  thy  favour.  Comfort  me  by  the 
persuasion,  that  my  many  offences  have  been  re- 
mitted. Enable  me  to  gather  satisfactory  evidence 
from  my  feelings  and  conduct,  that  I  have  passed 
from  death  unto  life ;  and  may  thy  Spirit  bear  wit- 
ness with  mine,  that  I  am  numbered  with  thy  child- 
ren. Give  me  the  spirit  of  wisdom  and  revelation, 
in  the  knowledge  of  Christ,  that  I  may  know  what 
is  the  hope  of  his  calling,  and  what  the  riches  of 
the  glory  of  his  inheritance  in  the  saints.  Cause 
me  to  feel  that  it  is  my  duty  to  aim  at  the  attainment 
of  this  grace,  and  my  privilege  to  enjoy  it,  in  the 
exercise  of  faith,  prayer,  and  zeal.  Enable  me  to 
say — "  Though  thou  wast  angry  with  me,  thine  an- 
ger is  turned  away;  and  thou  comfortest  me." 

Blessed  God,  grant  me  the  full  assurance  of  hope 
unto  the  end : — a  hope  that  I  am  accepted  before 
thee,  for  the  merits  of  Christ;  that  through  his  grace 


28 

I  shall  be  saved ;  and  that  though  worms  may  de 
vour  this  body,  yet  in  my  flesh  I  shall  see  thee, 
and  be  satisfied  when  I  awake  in  thy  likeness. 

ATHEISM. 

Great  God,  regard  with  pity  the  fool,  who  hath 
said  in  his  heart,  "There  is  no  God!"  Although 
thou  hast  written  thy  name  in  language  of  fire,  on 
the  canopy  of  heaven ;  and  revealed  thy  being  in 
the  countless  creations  of  air,  earth,  and  sea — yet 
there  are  some  of  thy  creatures,  who  profess  to  be- 
lieve that  thou  art  not!  Though  thou  mayest  be 
known  by  the  judgments  thou  executest ;  and  though 
human  consciousness,  in  its  universal  consent,  has 
been  a  memorial  of  thee,  through  all  generations—- 
they would  vainly  persuade  themselves  that  thou 
art  but  the  empty  dream  of  religious  fancy  t  O 
Lord,  let  this  outrage  upon  knowledge,  and  holi- 
ness, and  hope,  make  me  cling,  with  a  closer  grasp, 
to  the  instructive,  and  purifying,  and  hopeful  truth, 
that  thy  kingdom  ruleth  over  all.  Gracious  Parent, 
how  cheerless  would  this  earthly  probation  be  to 
my  spirit,  if  I  did  not  know  that  thou  art  Alpha  and 
Omega.  Lord,  let  the  fact  that  any  could  be  so  lost 
to  reason  and  piety,  as  to  deny  thy  being,  be  strong 
testimony  before  the  world  of  the  depravity  of  the 
carnal  mind;  which,  in  all  its  various  degrees  of 
sentiment,  is  still  enmity  against  God  !  O,  if  it  be 
consistent  with  thy  justice,  recover  these  children 
of  disobedience  to  the  wisdom  of  the  just;  and  lead 
them  to  adore  and  trust  in  thee,  as  the  living  God. 

Lord,  commiserate  those  who,  while  they  ac- 
knowledge thee  in  their  judgments,  deny  thee  in 
their  lives :  and  who,  in  the  midst  of  thy  presence, 
are  without  God  in  the  world  I  They  will  not  re- 


29 

tain  thee  in  their  knowledge,  nor  follow  thy  ways, 
nor  seek  thy  favour.  Give  them  not  over  to  a  re- 
probate mind,  to  be  filled  with  all  unrighteousness ; 
but  do  thou  bring  them,  in  the  living  way  of  thy 
Son,  to  know,  and  love,  and  glorify  thee  as  God. 

O  Most  High,  does  not  practical  atheism  leaven 
my  own  heart,  and  the  hearts  of  many  that  call  on 
thy  name  ?  For  when  we  do  what  we  know  to  be 
wrong  in  thy  sight,  and  leave  undone  what  we  know 
thou  hast  commanded  us  to  do,  we  virtually  say, 
"  Who  is  the  Lord,  that  we  should  obey  him  ?"  I 
pray  thee,  rebuke  this  unrighteousness ;  and  banish 
every  vestige  of  it  from  us ;  until  our  hearts  shall 
know,  and  our  works  shall  proclaim,  in  all  things, 
the  power  of  thy  life ! 

ATONEMENT. 

God  of  Salvation,  I  thank  and  adore  thee  that  in 
the  counsels  of  eternity  thou  didst  devise  a  plan  by 
which  rebellious,  guilty,  and  hell-deserving  man 
might  receive  thy  forgiveness,  be  reconciled  to  thee, 
and  enjoy  thy  favour;  and  that  in  the  fulness  of  time 
thou  didst  finish  thy  decree  of  mercy,  by  sending 
thine  only-begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believeth 
on  him,  should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life. 
O  it  was  matchless  compassion  that  made  the  ruins 
of  our  apostasy  the  theatre  on  which  to  display  the 
wonders  of  redeeming  love  !  When  we  lay  in  the 
open  field,  and  were  polluted  in  our  own  blood,  thou 
didst  bid  us  live :  yea,  thou  didst  bid  us  live ! 
Scarcely  for  a  righteous  man  would  one  die ;  per- 
adventure  for  a  good  man  some  would  even  dare  to 
die :  but  thou  hast  commended  thy  love  to  us,  in 
that  while  we  were  sinners,  Christ  died  for  us. 
Thou  didst  set  him  forth  to  be  a  propitiation,  through 
3* 


30 

faith  in  his  blood,  for  the  remission  of  sins,  in  order 
that  thou  mightest  be  just,  and  be  the  justifier  of 
him  that  believeth  in  Jesus.  Make  me  under- 
stand that  it  was  his  divinity  that  made  this  offering 
a  perfect  work :  for  Lebanon  was  not  sufficient  to 
burn  ;  nor  the  beasts  thereof  sufficient  for  a  burnt 
offering ;  nor  could  the  fruit  of  the  body  atone  for 
the  sin  of  the  soul:  but  lo!  the  blood  of  Christ 
clean seth  from  all  sin ! 

Lord,  may  I  have  an  ever-present  conviction  that 
there  is  no  other  name  by  which  I  can  be  saved. 
May  I  seek  redemption  only  through  his  blood,  the 
remission  of  sins,  according  to  the  riches  of  his 
grace.  Purge  thou  my  conscience  from  dead  works 
to  serve  the  living  God ;  and  may  I  thus  judge,  that 
if  Christ  has  died  for  me,  I  should  henceforth  live  not 
unto  myself,  but  unto  him.  Let  the  blessings  of  this 
atonement  rest  on  me,  in  sins  pardoned,  in  punish- 
ment averted,  in  fear  pacified,  in  the  soul  reconciled, 
in  the  heart  sanctified,  and  in  the  spirit  made  joyful 
in  an  endless  hope.  O  Lord,  grant  that  at  last  I 
may  be  found  among  those  that  have  washed  their 
robes  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb. 

O  may  there  be  many,  who  shall  go  into  all  the 
world,  and  preach  this  blessed  gospel  to  every  crea- 
ture. May  men  every  where  learn  their  guilt  and 
danger,  and  see  the  fitness  of  the  Saviour  thou  hast 
provided  for  them.  May  multitudes  thirst  after 
righteousness,  and  be  led  to  that  fountain  which  has 
been  opened  in  the  house  of  David,  where  whoso- 
ever will,  may  take  of  the  waters  of  life  freely. 
Grant,  in  thy  mercy,  that  all  the  ends  of  the  earth 
may  look  unto  Christ,  and  be  saved. — [See  JESUS 
CHRIST.] 


31 


AUTUMN. 

O  thou  that  makest  the  seasons,  and  crownest 
them  with  thy  goodness,  give  ear  to  the  thanksgiv- 
ings and  entreaties  which  I  now  offer  thee  in  the 
name  of  Jesus.  I  praise  thee  that  thou  hast  pre- 
served me  amid  the  heat  and  diseases  of  the  past 
summer.  I  thank  thee  for  the  fruits  of  the  earth 
which  have  already  been  gathered,  and  for  those 
which  still  burden  the  fields  with  the  promise  of 
plenty.  The  whole  face  of  nature  speaks  thy  praise, 
and  bears  witness  to  thy  bounty. 

Lord,  what  is  man,  that  thou  hast  been  thus  mind- 
ful of  him  ;  or  the  son  of  man,  that  thou  visitest 
him  ?  Instead  of  continuing  health  and  sparing  life, 
thou  mightest  have  brought  over  us  the  pestilence 
that  walketh  in  darkness,  and  the  destruction  that 
wasteth  at  noon-day.  Instead  of  making  the  earth 
to  bring  forth  and  bud,  that  it  might  give  seed  to  the 
sower  and  bread  to  the  eater,  thou  couldst  have 
made  it  more  desolate  than  the  wilderness,  until  the 
land  had  fainted  by  reason  of  the  famine.  It  is  of 
thy  mercies  that  we  are  not  consumed:  for  thou  art 
slow  to  anger  and  full  of  compassion ;  and  thy  ten- 
der mercies  are  over  all  thy  works.  O  God,  incline 
me  to  be  merciful  to  others,  even  as  thou  hast  been 
merciful  to  me.  Dispose  me,  in  my  enjoyment  of 
the  abundance  of  the  earth,  to  pity  and  relieve  the 
wants  of  the  needy ;  and  deeply  impress  on  my 
heart  the  lesson  of  gratitude  which  thou  hast  been 
striving  to  teach  me  by  thy  goodness. 

Whilst  thou  art  now  changing  the  face  of  the  de- 
clining year,  and  bringing  over  it  the  tokens  of  de- 
cay and  death,  O  teach  me  that  such  are  earthly 
hopes  and  human  life.  The  fashion  of  this  world 


32 

passeth  away ;  and  we  all  do  fade  as  a  leaf.  The 
grass  withereth,  and  the  flower  fadeth ;  and  all  flesh 
is  as  grass,  and  all  the  goodliness  thereof  as  the 
flower  of  the  field.  May  these  waning  scenes  lead 
me  to  seek  that  inheritance  in  light,  where  no  sor- 
row shall  wither,  and  no  sin  shall  blast  the  fruit  of 
the  tree  of  life,  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  paradise 
of  God ! 

Lord,  instruct  me  that  he  who  soweth  sparingly 
shall  reap  also  sparingly  ;  and  that  he  who  soweth 
bountifully  shall  reap  also  bountifully.  Let  my 
Christian  experience  be  like  the  fruit  of  the  earth, 
which  bringeth  forth  first  the  blade,  then  the  ear, 
and  after  that,  the  full  corn  in  the  ear :  and  then,  O 
Lord,  when  thy  harvest  is  come,  put  in  thy  sickle, 
and  gather  me,  as  a  shock  of  corn  cometh  in  his 
season,  into  thy  heavenly  garner.  And  the  praise 
of  my  salvation  shall  be  unto  the  Father,  Son,  and 
Holy  Ghost  forever. 

BACKSLIDING. 

O  thou,  who  through  Christ,  art  rich  in  mercy  to 
all  who  call  upon  thee,  preserve  me,  I  pray  thee, 
against  backsliding  from  the  ways  of  grace.  Let  not 
my  infirmities  and  corruptions  lead  me  back  to  the 
love  of  the  world.  Suffer  not  the  temptations  by 
which  I  am  surrounded  to  draw  me  away  from  my 
love  and  allegiance  to  thee.  Teach  me  to  avoid  the 
appearance  of  evil,  and  to  watch  against  the  earliest 
and  least  encroachments  of  sin,  both  in  the  heart 
and  in  the  life.  Let  me  not  fall  into  the  occasional 
nor  habitual  neglect  of  public  or  private  duties. 
Permit  me  not  to  substitute  formality  for  the  spirit 
of  devotion  ;  nor  insincerity  for  truth  of  heart ; 
nor  vain  glory  for  good  will  to  man ;  nor  error  for 


33 

the  truth  of  God.  Keep  me,  O  Lord,  from  open 
transgression,  and  from  degrading  thy  cause  in  the 
eyes  of  a  gainsaying  world,  by  an  unholy  walk  and 
conversation.  And  show  me  that  if  any  man  draw 
back,  thy  soul  has  no  pleasure  in  him. 

Grant,  merciful  Father,  that  when  my  feet  fall 
into  snares,  and  slide  in  the  way  of  evil,  thy  grace  may 
be  sufficient  for  that  hour  of  need.  Bring  me  back 
from  all  my  wanderings,  and  may  the  memory  of 
them  make  me  humble  and  watchful.  Forgive  my 
backslidings,  restore  me  to  thy  favour,  set  my  feet 
upon  the  rock,  establish  my  goings  in  thy  strength, 
and  dispose  me  to  press  on  towards  the  mark,  for 
the  prize  of  my  high  calling.  Lord,  let  me  not  be 
of  those  that  draw  back  unto  perdition,  but  of  them 
that  believe,  unto  the  saving  of  the  soul. 

BENEVOLENCE. 

Father  of  Mercies,  fill  my  heart  with  ever-living 
sympathies  for  the  wants  and  woes  of  all  my  fellow- 
creatures.  Make  me  merciful  even  as  thou,  Hea- 
venly Father,  art  merciful.  May  I  desire  more  the 
blessing  of  them  that  are  ready  to  perish,  than  the 
favour  of  the  wise,  and  rich,  and  mighty.  Make 
me  the  steward  of  thy  bounty ;  for  with  such  sacri- 
fices thou  art  well  pleased.  Incline  me  to  practice 
that  economy  which  will  enable  me  to  give  to  him 
that  needeth.  May  I  remember  that  whoso  hath 
this  world's  goods,  and  seeth  his  brother  have  need, 
and  shutteth  up  his  bowels  of  compassion  from  him, 
the  love  of  God  dwelleth  not  in  him. 

Gracious  God,  sanctify  my  motives  in  all  the 
exercises  of  charity.  Let  them  not  be  done  to  be 
seen  of  men,  nor  as  acts  of  self-righteousness.  I 
would  do  good,  that  I  may  enjoy  the  testimony  of 


34 

an  approving  conscience,  and  find  it  more  blessed 
to  give  than  to  receive.  May  I  regard  benevolence 
as  the  means  of  improving  the  heart,  and  making 
the  character  like  that  of  Jesus.  I  would  remem- 
ber, too,  that  thou  lovest  a  cheerful  giver.  Help 
me,  O  God,  to  make  thy  glory  the  end  of  all  my 
benevolence. — Dispose  me  to  do  good,  as  I  have  op- 
portunity, in  all  my  spheres  of  life.  May  I  be  eyes 
to  the  blind,  feet  to  the  lame,  health  to  the  sick, 
strength  to  the  feeble,  help  to  the  needy,  and  com- 
fort to  the  mourner.  But  above  all,  may  my  desires, 
and  zeal  go  forth  for  the  spiritual  wants  of  mankind. 
Let  not  indolence,  selfishness,  nor  unbelief  steel 
my  heart  against  the  claims  of  those  who  live  re- 
gardless of  thy  will,  and  of  those  who  are  perishing 
for  lack  of  knowledge.  Lord,  make  me  an  humble 
yet  honoured  instrument  in  thy  hand,  of  spreading 
the  knowledge  of  thy  truth,  and  of  turning  sinners 
from  the  error  of  their  ways,  unto  the  wisdom  of 
the  just. 

BIB  L E. — See  Scriptures. 

BIRTH-DAY. 

O  thou  Giver  and  Preserver  of  Being,  I  would 
lift  up  my  thanksgivings  to  thee  for  having  continued 
and  blessed  my  life  through  another  year.  Here  1 
would  raise  my  Ebenezer,  and  say,  "  Hitherto  hath 
the  Lord  helped  me."  I  would  look  back  with 
mingled  feelings  of  wonder  and  love  on  the  way  in 
which  thou  hast  led  me,  ever  since  the  dawn  of  my 
existence.  If  thou  hadst  measured  unto  me  accord- 
ing to  my  deserts,  my  days  of  probation  would  long 
ago  have  been  ended,  and  I  should  now  be  reaping 
the  fruits  of  sin  in  the  world  of  despair.  But,  thanks 


35 

be  unto  thee,  thy  mercy  rejoiced  against  judg- 
ment ;  and  I,  who  might  have  been  a  monument  of 
thy  justice,  am  a  witness  that  thou  art  long-suffer- 
ing and  abundant  in  goodness. 

Lord,  accept  my  gratitude  for  the  many  tokens  of 
thy  favour  which  I  have  enjoyed  since  my  last 
birthday.  I  thank  thee  for  my  food  and  raiment, 
my  home  and  friends,  my  health  and  my  countless 
comforts.  I  praise  thee  that  the  means  of  grace — 
the  institution  of  prayer,  the  worship  of  thy  sanc- 
tuary, the  oracles  of  truth,  the  fellowship  of  saints, 
have  all  been  continued  unto  me.  And  to  all  these 
thou  hast  added  the  teaching,  and  sanctifying,  and 
rejoicing  influences  of  thy  Holy  Spirit.  Lord,  thou 
hast  crowned  my  year  with  thy  goodness,  and  thy 
paths  in  it  have  dropped  fatness. 

O  God,  help  me  to  ponder  and  fulfil  the  duties  of 
heart  and  action  which  lie  before  me  in  the  untra- 
velled  and  uncertain,  but  important  period  of  time, 
on  which  I  am  now  entering.  I  may  have  num- 
bered the  last  year  of  my  existence ;  and  ere  the 
present  one  shall  have  finished  its  brief  circle,  time 
may  be  to  me  no  more,  and  the  state  of  my  soul  be 
unalterably  fixed.  Make  me  thoughtful  of  death  and 
eternity  ;  and  yet  suffer  me  not  to  forget,  that  while 
it  is  still  day,  and  before  the  night  cometh,  in  which 
no  man  can  work,  thou  hast  appointed  unto  me 
spheres  of  duty,  which  thou  requirest  me  to  occupy 
until  thy  coming.  Give  me,  I  beseech  thee,  in 
Christ  Jesus,  an  eye  of  wisdom  to  discern,  and  a 
heart  of  love  to  do,  all  the  requirements  of  thy 
blessed  will.  And  if  it  be  thy  pleasure  to  prolong 
my  years,  may  I  look  back  on  them  as  spent  in  thy 
service,  and  say,  "  For  me  to  live  is  Christ !"  But 
if  thou  wilt  bring  my  season  of  trial  to  an  end,  O 


36 

grant  that  I  may  be  able  to  say,  with  exulting  joy, 
"  For  me  to  die  is  gain  !" 

BIGOTRY. 

God  of  Truth,  preserve  my  understanding  and 
heart  from  the  influence  of  bigotry.  While  I  am 
not  permitted  to  tolerate  dangerous  error,  nor  con- 
nive at  heresy,  keep  me  from  ignorant  perversity 
and  blind  obstinacy  in  defending  my  own  opinions  ; 
and  from  unkindness  and  intolerance  towards  those 
from  whom  I  differ  in  sentiment.  Suffer  me  not  to 
mistake  prejudice  for  the  love  of  truth,  nor  malice 
for  true  zeal.  Lord,  if  this  root  of  bitterness  be  in 
my  spirit,  (and  who  among  the  children  of  men  is 
free  from  it  ?)  O,  do  thou  take  it  utterly  away  :  and 
in  its  place  implant  a  vine  whose  brandies  will  cling 
in  love,  and  whose  fruits  will  hang  in  plenty,  on 
every  object  in  its  reach.  May  I  sincerely  desire 
the  success  of  all  who  labour  for  the  glory  of  God 
and  the  welfare  of  souls.  Restore,  O  Lord,  the 
spirit  of  harmony  in  all  the  divisions  of  the  house- 
hold of  faith ;  so  that  thy  watchmen  may  see  eye 
to  eye,  and  thy  saints,  of  every  name,  dwell  in  the 
unity  of  the  Spirit. 

BLESSING     OF     GOD. 

Great  God,  I  desire  to  feel  that  without  thy  bless- 
ing, which  maketh  rich,  and  addeth  no  sorrow  with 
it,  all  that  I  now  possess,  and  all  I  hope  to  enjoy, 
will  be  barren  and  worthless.  Thou  only  canst 
make  my  possessions  and  pursuits  answer  the  pur- 
poses of  wisdom  and  goodness.  Lord,  bless  thou 
my  waking  and  sleeping  hours ;  my  seasons  of  re- 
tirement and  intercourse  ;  my  daily  food  and  daily 
duties;  my  joys  and  sorrows;  my  prosperity  and 


37 

adversity;  my  rest  and  labour;  my  praises  and 
prayers ;  my  thoughts,  words,  and  actions ;  my 
hopes  ;  my  all.  Whatsoever  thou  mayest  deny  me, 
grant  me  thy  favour  which  is  life,  and  thy  loving- 
kindness  which  is  better  than  life.  Let  me  not  un- 
dertake nor  prosecute  any  thing  on  which  1  cannot 
ask  thee  to  set  the  seal  of  thine  approbation.  May 
I  turn  away  from  every  thing  which  I  may  judge  to 
be  repugnant  to  thy  will.  Especially  may  I  feel,  in 
my  religious  duties,  that  neither  is  he  that  planteth 
any  thing,  nor  he  that  watereth,  but  God  thatgiveth 
the  increase.  If  thou  vouchsafe  not  thy  favour,  the 
heaven  that  is  over  rny  head  shall  be  as  brass,  and 
the  earth  that  is  under  my  feet  shall  be  as  iron. 
Without  thee  I  can  do  nothing;  for  in  myself  my 
strength  is  weakness,  my  wisdom  is  folly,  and  my 
goodness  is  as  the  morning  cloud  and  the  early  dew. 
But  I  praise  thee  that  my  sufficiency  is  of  God,  and 
that  I  can  do  all  things  through  Christ  strengthen- 
ing me.  Endue  me,  I  beseech  thee,  with  power 
from  on  high  ;  and  make  thy  strength  perfect  in  my 
weakness. 

O  Lord,  bestow  thine  abiding  sanction  and  thy 
richest  blessing  upon  the  various  efforts  of  thy 
church.  Give  them  abundant  success.  Make  them 
all  works  of  faith  and  labours  of  love.  Let  "  Glory 
to  God  in  the  highest,  on  earth,  peace  and  good-will 
to  men,"  be  inscribed  on  every  motive  and  every 
exertion  of  Christian  zeal.  Cast  down  every  ob- 
stacle, and  subdue  every  enemy.  O,  do  thou  re- 
move all  the  woes  and  vices  that  afflict  humanity 
and  in  their  stead,  bring  thou  the  peace  and  purity 
of  the  precious  gospel,  which  are  the  sure  and  satis 
fying  tokens  of  that  holy  blessedness  which  fills  the 
courts  of  thine  upper  sanctuary.  Lord,  give  thes 
4 


38 

petitions  gracious  audience  through  Christ  the  Sa- 
viour ;  and  dispose  me  to  ascribe  unto  the  King, 
immortal,  eternal,  and  invisible,  all  the  praise  and 
dominion,  now,  henceforth,  and  forever. 

BLIND. 

O  thou,  who  hast  formed  the  eye  to  be  the  light 
of  the  body,  look  mercifully  on  the  blind  ;  in  whom 
thou  hast  sealed  up,  in  rayless  darkness,  one  of 
man's  chief  avenues  of  knowledge  and  pleasure. 
Lord,  I  would  acknowledge  my  ingratitude  to  thee 
for  the  blessing  of  eyesight ;  and  my  indifference 
towards  those,  from  whom,  in  thine  inscrutable 
•wisdom,  thou  hast  withheld  it.  I  pray  thee  that 
when  I  look  upon  the  cheerful  scenes  of  nature,  and 
share  in  the  pleasant  fellowship  of  social  life,  and 
drink  in  precious  knowledge  from  the  leaves  of  hu- 
man and  holy  writ,  that  then  I  may  remember  thee, 
the  giver  of  these  perfect  gifts,  and  those  also,  whom 
thou  hast  deprived  of  them. 

Lord,  I  thank  thee  that  whilst  thou  hast  denied 
to  them  the  light  of  the  eye,  thou  hast  bestowed  on 
them  an  increased  and  wonderful  sense  of  touch : 
and  that  the  ingenuity  and  benevolence  of  men  have 
taken  advantage  of  this  provision  of  thy  mercy,  to 
restore,  in  part,  the  priceless  boons  of  intelligence 
and  joy.  I  pray  thee  so  to  improve  the  healing  art, 
that  many,  very  many,  of  these  children  of  darkness 
may  be  brought  into  the  open  light  of  day :  but  do 
thou  put  within  the  reach  and  use  of  those  whose 
sight  no  skill  can  restore,  the  means  that  are  now 
employed  for  giving  them,  in  the  mysterious  lan- 
guage of  the  fingers,  the  pages  of  intellectual  and 
saving  wisdom. 

But  O,  let  thy  chief  compassion  to  them  be,  to 


39 

shine  into  their  hearts,  to  give  them  the  light  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God,  in  the  face  of  Jesus 
Christ:  in  whom,  though  now  they  see  him  not, 
neither  the  works  of  his  hands,  yet  believing,  may 
they  rejoice  with  a  joy  that  is  unspeakable  and  full 
of  glory :  receiving  the  end  of  faith,  even  the  salva- 
tion of  their  souls. 

Lord,  regard  with  pity  those  blind,  who  have 
eyes  that  will  not  see  ;  and  who  love  darkness,  be- 
cause their  deeds  are  evil ;  and  who  will  not  come 
to  the  light,  lest  their  deeds  should  be  reproved. 
Unscale,  I  beseech  thee,  their  inward  sight;  remove 
every  film  of  vice ;  and  grant  that  in  thy  light  they 
may  see  light ! 

BROTHERLY     LOVE. 

O  thou,  who  art  the  fountain  of  love,  fill  my 
heart  with  strong  affections  for  all  that  are  of  the 
household  of  faith.  May  I  keep  that  message  that 
we  had  from  the  beginning — that  we  should  love 
one  another.  He  who  doeth  this  abideth  in  light, 
and  there  is  none  occasion  of  stumbling  in  him ;  but 
he  that  loveth  not  his  brother,  whom  he  hath  seen, 
how  can  he  love  God,  whom  he  hath  not  seen  ? 
May  I  regard  thy  people  as  lively  stones  of  thy 
spiritual  house  ;  as  partners  with  me  in  the  trials  of 
life,  and  in  the  grace  of  God  ;  as  members  of  thy 
family  on  earth,  and  of  thy  heritage  in  heaven. 
Lord,  grant  me  that  testimony  of  having  passed  from 
death  unto  life,  which  flows  from  love  to  the  bre- 
thren. 

Lord  of  Hosts,  may  all  thy  saints  love  each  other, 
not  in  word  nor  in  tongue  only,  but  in  deed  and  in 
truth.  Show  them  how  good  and  pleasant  it  is  for 
brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unity.  May  they  be 


40 

kind  one  to  another,  forgiving  one  another,  even  as 
God,  for  Christ's  sake,  hath  forgiven  them.  May 
brotherly  love  continue,  through  evil  report,  as  well 
as  good  report.  Dispose  them  to  suffer  long,  to 
hope  all  things,  to  believe  all  things.  May  they 
bear  one  another's  burdens,  and  so  fulfil  the  law  of 
Christ.  Show  them,  O  Lord,  that  the  success  of 
thy  kingdom  among  the  ungodly,  the  peace  and  joy 
of  the  fold  of  Christ,  and  the  enduring  favour  of 
Jehovah,  depend  on  their  loving  one  another,  out 
of  pure  hearts,  fervently.  Let  this  grace  be  as  the 
dew  of  heaven,  and  as  the  dew  that  descended  upon 
the  mountains  of  Zion ;  where  the  Lord  commanded 
the  blessing,  even  life  for  evermore. 

BUSINESS. 

Lord,  dispose  me  to  act  according  to  thy  will, 
and  in  reference  to  thy  glory,  in  all  my  worldly  bu- 
siness. I  thank  thee  for  that  law  of  my  nature,  by 
which  thou  hast  connected  my  happiness  and  use- 
fulness, with  the  employment  of  my  body  and  mind 
in  the  duties  of  life.  Let  all  my  avocations  be  law- 
ful in  thy  sight.  Give  me  a  calm  mind  and  mode- 
rate prosperity  in  the  pursuit  of  them;  or  grant  me 
patience  under  disappointed  efforts.  O  let  not 
mere  selfishness  be  the  motive  nor  end  of  my  labour. 
May  I  desire  to  fulfil  in  myself  the  benevolent  pur-* 
poses  of  thy  providence,  in  giving  me  an  active  na- 
ture ;  and  to  make  my  employments  promote  the 
temporal  and  spiritual  interests  of  mankind.  Make 
me  diligent  in  business,  fervent  in  spirit,  serving 
the  Lord  :  so  that  whether  I  eat,  or  drink,  or  what- 
ever I  do,  I  may  do  it  for  thy  glory. 


41 


CENSORIOUSNESS. 

Lord,  preserve  me  from  the  spirit  of  censorious- 
ness.  Guard  me  against  an  intermeddling,  rash,  or 
uncharitable  judgment  on  the  conduct  of  my  fellow- 
creatures.  May  I  do  unto  others  in  this  matter,  as 
I  would  they  should  do  unto  me.  May  I  remember 
that  with  what  measure  I  mete,  it  shall  be  measured 
to  me  again.  Let  me  not  judge  according  to  appear- 
ance, but  judge  righteous  judgment.  Whenever  I 
am  tempted  to  behold  the  mote  that  is  in  my  bro- 
ther's eye,  may  I  consider  the  beam  that  is  in  mine 
own  eye.  Show  me  my  own  weakness  and  sinful- 
ness.  Dispose  me  to  think  no  evil  of  any,  and  to 
maintain  a  good  opinion  of  all,  until  I  have  proved 
all  things.  Incline  me  always  to  pray  for  the  for- 
giveness of  the  offence,  and  for  the  welfare  of  the 
offender.  And  when  it  becomes  my  duty  to  cen- 
sure others,  may  I  do  it,  not  in  anger  nor  pride  of 
heart,  but  in  sorrow,  and  with  a  desire  to  do  good. 

CHARITY. 

Giver  of  all  Good,  grant  me  that  fruit  of  the  Spirit 
which  is  love.  May  this  be  the  element  where  my 
soul  will  live,  and  move,  and  have  its  being.  O, 
may  I  feel  that  if  I  could  speak  with  the  tongues  of 
men  and  angels,  and  have  not  charity,  I  am  become 
as  sounding  brass  or  a  tinkling  cymbal :  though  I 
should  bestow  all  my  goods  to  feed  the  poor,  and 
give  my  body  to  be  burned,  and  have  not  charity, 
it  profiteth  me  nothing. 

Lord,  grant  that  thy  holy  commandment,  and  the 

countless  examples  of  thy  good-will,  and  the  various 

wants  of  my  fellow-creatures,  may  be  heart-stirring 

motives  to  this  law  of  kindness.     And  especially 

4* 


42 

may  the  love  of  Cbdst  constrain  me  to  love  my 
neighbour  as  myself.     Make  it  a  bond  of  perfect- 
ness,  and  the  end  of  the  commandment ;  spring- 
ing out  of  a  pure  heart,  and  of  a  good  conscience, 
and   of    faith    unfeigned.      May    this    grace    pre- 
serve me  from  envy,  censoriousness,  and  ill-will, 
and  so  mould  my  temper  and  character,  that  I  shall 
be  meek  and  forbearing,  disinterested  and  self-de-      A 
nying,  and  steadfast  and  kind  in  all  my  intercourse    / 
with  mankind.    Blessed  God,  let  it  not  be  bounded  • 
by  narrow  limits,  but  be  as  expansive  as  the  length 
and  breadth  of  the  world,  and  take  into  the  bosom 
of  its  sympathies  the  whole  family  of  man. 

O  thou,  Sovereign  of  Destinies,  hasten  that  time 
when  charity  shall  fill  the  hearts  and  control  the 
conduct  of  all  men  ;  when  anger,  and  malice,  and 
revenge  shall  have  fled  away  forever ;  when  nations 
shall  learn  war  no  more,  and  Jesus,  the  Prince  of 
Peace,  shall  reign  over  an  undisturbed  empire  of 
love. 

CHASTITY. 

Preserve  me,  O  Holy  One,  from  impurity  in 
thought,  in  word,  and  in  action.  Grant  that  a  sense 
of  thy  holiness  and  thine  omniscience  may  so  rest 
upon  me,  that  I  may  walk  in  the  Spirit,  and  not  ful- 
fil the  lusts  of  the  flesh.  May  I  set  a  watch  upon 
my  lips,  that  no  double  meaning  nor  corrupt  com- 
munication may  proceed  out  of  my  mouth  ;  and  suf- 
fer me  not  to  take  pleasure  in,  but  to  abhor  and  turn 
away  from,  the  language  of  indelicacy  and  lascivious- 
ness  on  the  tongues  of  others.  Help  me  to  make  a 
covenant  with  my  eyes,  that  they  may  not  dwell  on 
unlawful  objects,  nor  pamper  forbidden  wishes. 
Throw  a  guard  round  my  heart,  that  it  may  not  de- 


43 

vise  wicked  imaginations.  Teach  me  to  loathe  and 
flee  from  these  beginnings  of  evil,  which  debase  the 
spirit,  enfeeble  the  mind,  and  drown  the  soul  in 
perdition.  Enable  me  to  put  away  uncleanness, 
and  to  glorify  thee  in  my  body  and  spirit,  which 
are  thine. 

God  of  Justice,  enter  not  into  judgment  with  our 
land  for  the  foul  impurity  which  covers  it.  If  thou 
wert  strict  to  mark  its  iniquity,  thou  wouldst  bring 
over  it  the  besom  of  desolation,  and  make  it  a  monu- 
ment of  reproach.  O  lead  us,  in  thy  mercy,  to  the 
use  of  such  measures  as  shall  subvert  the  dominion 
of  licentiousness,  and  establish  purity  of  heart, 
speech,  and  conduct.  Lord,  thou  knowest  whether 
the  means  which  have  been  employed,  by  social  and 
open  action,  for  the  suppression  of  that  destroying 
vice,  are  according  to  thy  holy  will.  If  they  are, 
O  give  them  abundant  success.  But  if  they  are  not, 
cause  them  to  be  laid  aside,  and  teach  thy  people 
what  they  may  do  that  will  secure  thy  blessing. 
Correct,  elevate,  and  inform  public  opinion  in  rela- 
tion to  the  destroying  evils  oflewdness.  Put  under 
the  ban  of  universal  condemnation  the  unchaste 
word,  the  licentious  song,  the  impure  page,  the 
lascivious  dance,  and  the  dissolute  play-house. 
Make  the  libertine  a  scorn  and  reproach  in  every 
society.  O  preserve  those  who  are  still  pure  ;  and 
let  them  not  go  down  the  pathways  of  disgrace  and 
destruction.  Convince  and  alarm  those  whose  name 
is  clean  in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  but  whose  thoughts 
cherish  unholy  emotions,  and  whose  hearts  work 
uncleanness  greedily.  Recover  those  who  have 
listened  to  the  song  of  the  syren,  and  who  go  as  a 
bird  hasteth  to  the  snare,  and  knoweth  not  that  it  is 
for  his  life  :  who  think  not  that  many  strong  men 


44 

have  been  slain  by  her,  and  that  her  house  is  the 
chambers  of  death,  and  that  her  guests  are  in  the 
depths  of  hell.  Cleanse  our  land  and  the  world  from 
this  vile  leprosy  which  destroys  health,  and  happi- 
ness, and  virtue  :  and  bring  over  it  a  reformation 
that  shall  be  total  abstinence  from  impurity  of  every 
name. 

CHEERFULNESS. 

Lord,  make  cheerfulness  the  habit  of  my  temper. 
Enable  me  to  pursue  the  happy  mean  between  that 
mirth,  the  end  of  which  is  heaviness,  and  that  sul- 
lenness,  which  is  a  canker  upon  personal  comfort,  a 
reproach  upon  social  character,  and  a  libel  on  divine 
goodness.  Let  not  my  spirit  be  soured  by  disappoint* 
ment ;  nor  be  dejected  by  misfortune  ;  nor  be  made 
morose  by  hostility.  May  I  regard  these  as  light  af- 
flictions, compared  with  a  peevish  and  gloomy  tem- 
per :  which  will  corrupt  my  own  pleasures,  shed 
mildew  on  all  my  associations  in  life,  and  disparage 
thy  grace.  Show  me  that  a  cheerful  mind  will  dif- 
fuse gladness  over  my  pathways,  scatter  pleasure 
around  those  who  journey  with  me,  and  glorify  the 
mercy  of  God. 

Gracious  Parent,  speak  to  me — "  Son,  be  of  good 
cheer:  thy  sins  are  forgiven  thee."  O  how  light 
would  the  crosses,  and  afflictions,  and  disasters  of 
earth  weigh  on  me,  if  I  were  conscious  of  guilt  for- 
given, and  peace  with  heaven!  Lord,  grant  that 
whilst  I  drink  gladness  from  all  the  lawful  sources  of 
comfort  around  me,  I  may  draw  from  the  wells  of 
salvation  a  living  water,  which  the  world  can  neither 
give  nor  take  away. 


45 

CHILDREN. 

Lord,  I  thank  thee  that  thou  dost  suffer  little  child- 
ren to  come  unto  thee,  and  that  thou  dost  ordain 
praise  out  of  the  mouths  of  babes  and  sucklings. 
I  would  praise  thee  that  thy  saving  truth,  while  it 
is  fitted  to  fill  the  minds  of  angels  with  the  most 
exalted  knowledge,  can  be  learned,  and  understood, 
and  felt  by  children  ;  and  that  many  such  have 
known  its  power,  and  have  spoken  in  their  feeble 
accents  of  its  excellence,  both  in  their  life  and  death, 
and  are  now  enjoying  the  fruits  of  its  redemption 
in  the  courts  above.  Lord,  for  the  sake  of  the  com- 
passionate and  prevailing  Redeemer,  increase  that 
cloud  of  witnesses.  May  many  remember  their 
Creator  in  the  days  of  their  youth,  and  increase  in 
wisdom  and  in  favour  with  God.  Be  thou  the  guide 
of  their  youth,  and  satisfy  them  early  with  thy  mer- 
cies, that  they  may  rejoice  and  be  glad  all  the  days 
of  their  lives. 

God  of  Grace,  I  would  praise  thee  for  what  thou 
hast  done  and  art  doing,  through  the  labours  of  thy 
people,  for  the  rising  generation.  Multiply  the  num- 
ber and  increase  the  efficacy  of  these  efforts.  Ena- 
ble parents  to  make  an  unreserved  dedication  of 
their  offspring  to  the  Lord,  and  train  them  up  in 
the  way  they  should  go,  that  when  they  are  old, 
they  shall  not  depart  from  it.  May  all  who  have 
any  influence  over  youth,  devote  their  most  zealous 
labours  that  they  may  be  made  wise  unto  salvation, 
through  the  faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus.  And 
grant,  I  pray  thee,  that  thy  Church  may  regard 
them  as  the  hope  of  the  world,  and  bend  all  her 
energies  of  faith,  and  love,  and  zeal,  that  the  rising 
generation  may  be  brought  up  in  the  nurture  and 
admonition  of  the  Lord. 


46 

Heavenly  Father,  incline  the  hearts  of  children 
to  fulfil  their  duties  to  their  parents.  Teach  them 
that  they  are  bound  by  the  laws  of  natural  affection, 
and  the  ties  of  gratitude,  to  honour  their  father  and 
mother — which  is  also  the  will  of  God,  and  the 
first  commandment  with  promise.  O,  how  often 
are  the  authority  and  peace  of  parents  disregarded 
or  violated  by  those  for  whom  they  have  spent  their 
property,  and  time,  and  anxieties  ;  and  to  whom 
they  have  looked  for  comfort  and  support  in  declin- 
ing age.  Lord,  do  thou  make  every  child  feel  its 
obligations  to  keep  its  father's  commandment,  and 
to  forsake  not  the  law  of  its  mother  ;  but  to  bind 
them  continually  upon  the  heart,  and  to  obey  them 
in  reverence  and  love. 

Gracious  Parent,  look  in  mercy,  I  pray  thee,  on 
the  ungodly  children  of  the  church.  Lord,  shall 
it  be  that  many  shall  come  from  the  north,  and  from 
the  south,  and  from  the  east,  and  from  the  west,  and 
sit  down  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  while  the  child- 
ren of  the  kingdom  shall  be  cast  out  ?  Turn  the 
hearts  of  the  fathers  to  the  children,  and  the  diso- 
bedient to  the  wisdom  of  the  just,  until  they  shall 
all  be  households  of  faith. — But  do  thou  regard,  in 
special  compassion,  the  impenitent  offspring  of  the 
pious  dead.  Startle  in  their  memory  the  echoes  of 
long  forgotten  parental  instructions  ;  bring  to  their 
remembrance  the  images  of  long  neglected  exam- 
ples of  parental  godliness.  And,  O  let  the  prayers 
of  these  saints,  which  are  kept  by  thee  as  odours 
in  golden  vials,  be  poured  out  before  thee,  until 
spirits  redeemed  shall  see  of  the  travail  of  their  souls, 
and  rejoice  over  their  offspring,  born  again  to  an  end- 
less life. — [See  EARLY  PIETY,  SABBATH  SCHOOLS, 
YOUTH.] 


47 

CHRIST  MA  S. 

Heavenly  Father,  assist  me  to  exercise  those  feel- 
ings of  grateful  devotion  which  are  suitable  to  this 
day,  which  has  been  set  apart  by  so  many  of  thy 
followers,  in  memory  of  the  birth  of  thy  well-be- 
loved Son.  Grant  me  enlarged  and  soul-moving 
views  of  all  that  relates  to  the  glorious  plan  of  sal- 
vation through  a  Redeemer. 

Unfold  to  my  mind,  I  beseech  thee,  the  deep  de- 
pravity and  lost  estate  into  which  our  guilty  race 
had  fallen.  The  whole  head  was  sick,  and  the 
whole  heart  faint :  and  from  the  sole  of  the  foot 
even  unto  the  head,  there  was  no  moral  soundness 
in  it ;  but  wounds,  and  bruises,  and  putrefying 
sores  !  All  flesh  had  corrupted  its  way  upon  the 
earth  ;  and  the  whole  world  was  guilty  before  God. 
Lord,  thou  wast  angry  with  the  wicked  every  day  : 
thy  curse  was  in  their  house  ;  and  thy  wrath  trea- 
sured up  for  them  perdition  in  the  day  of  thy  wrath. 
O,  if  thou  hadst  not  laid  help  upon  One,  mighty  to 
save,  all  men  would  have  had  their  part  in  the  lake 
that  burneth  with  fire  and  brimstone,  which  is  the 
second  death. 

Gracious  God,  make  me  sensible  of  that  love 
whereby  thou  didst  give  thine  only-begotten  Son, 
that  whosoever  believeth  on  him  should  not  perish, 
but  have  everlasting  life — and  which  thou  hast  com- 
mended to  us,  in  that  while  we  were  sinners,  Christ 
died  for  us.  Though  thou  hast  shown  thy  loving- 
kindness  in  the  works  of  creation,  and  in  the  deve- 
lopements  of  providence,  in  this  thou  hast  gathered, 
as  into  a  bright  and  burning  centre,  the  matchless 
proof  of  thy  good-will  to  man.  O,  the  breadth, 
and  length,  and  depth,  and  height  of  the  love  of 
Christ,  which  passeth  knowledge  ! 


48 

Lord,  make  me  to  know  the  excellencies  of 
Christ's  glory,  and  the  depths  of  his  humiliation. 
Though  he  dwelt  in  the  bosom  of  the  Father,  and 
inhabited  the  praises  of  eternity,  and  exercised  the 
powers  of  the  Godhead,  yet  he  took  upon  him  our 
sinful  nature,  was  born  in  a  low  condition,  made 
under  the  law,  undergoing  the  miseries  of  this  life, 
the  wrath  of  God,  and  the  cursed  death  of  the 
cross  ;  and  was  buried,  and  continued  under  the 
power  of  death  for  a  time.  Teach  me  that  he  was 
thus  made  sin  for  me,  that  I  might  be  made  the 
righteousness  of  God  in  him. 

O  God,  show  me  that  though  he  thus  gave  his 
life  a  ransom  for  many,  still  there  is  none  who  can 
have  redemption  through  his  blood,  without  the  con- 
vincing, renewing,  and  sanctifying  power  of  thy 
grace.  Lord,  make  me  know  my  sin,  and  my  need 
of  a  Saviour ;  dispose  me  to  turn  away  from  all  my 
transgressions,  and  to  lay  hold  of  the  hope  set  be- 
fore me  in  the  gospel. 

Lord,  impress  on  my  heart  the  features  of  Christ's 
lovely  and  perfect  character.  May  I  learn  of  him 
who  was  meek  and  lowly,  kind  and  patient,  obe- 
dient and  forgiving,  wise  and  holy.  Let  the  same 
mind  which  was  in  him  be  also  in  me.  Show  me 
that  he  is  glorified  in  the  bodies  and  spirits  of  them 
whom  thou  hast  given  to  him  ;  and  that  if  any  man 
have  not  the  spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of  his. 
May  the  grace  which  has  brought  salvation,  teach 
me  to  deny  ungodliness  and  to  work  righteousness  ; 
that  his  image,  destroyed  by  the  fall,  may  be  re- 
renewed  in  me,  and  that  the  life  also  of  Jesus  may 
be  made  manifest  in  my  mortal  flesh. 

God  of  Grace,  excite  my  faith  in  this  blessed 
Saviour,  by  clear  visions  of  that  heavenly  glory 


49 

which  he  has  prepared  for  those  that  love  him.  O, 
thanks  be  unto  thy  name,  thou  hast  not  only  re- 
deemed thy  saints  from  the  wretched  dominion  of 
sin  and  the  fearful  penalties  of  guilt,  but  thou  hast 
given  them  thine  unfailing  promise,  that  they  shall 
go  into  life  eternal,  and  dwell  before  thy  throne, 
and  serve  thee  day  and  night  in  thy  temple.  Lord, 
grant  that  through  his  merits,  an  entrance  may  be 
ministered  unto  me,  abundantly,  into  the  everlast- 
ing kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 
Merciful  Father,  persuade  the  ungodly,  who  are 
rejecting  the  Saviour,  that  without  his  atoning  right- 
eousness their  souls  must  endure  the  perdition  of 
eternal  death ;  while  through  his  blood  they  may 
have  remission  of  sins,  and  an  inheritance  among 
them  that  are  sanctified.  Reconcile  them  unto  thy- 
self, through  him ;  not  imputing  their  trespasses 
unto  them.  O  dispose  them  to  join  with  fulness 
of  heart,  that  heavenly  anthem,  which  heralded  his 
birth  in  our  nature — "  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest ; 
and  on  earth  peace,  good-will  towards  men !" 

CHURCH. 

Great  Shepherd  of  Israel,  I  thank  thee  that  thou 
hast  established  thy  church  on  the  earth,  and  hast 
put  the  seal  of  thy  redeeming  grace  on  it,  and  hast 
promised  that  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail 
against  it.  I  would  praise  thee  that  he  who  is  thy 
fulness,  has  been  made  head  over  all  things  to  his 
church,  which  is  his  body,  and  which  he  has  re- 
deemed by  his  blood  out  of  every  kindred,  and 
tongue,  and  people,  and  nation. 

Lord,  dispose  me  to  sustain  all  the  relations  which 
I  bear  to  thy  heritage.  Suffer  me  not  to  withdraw, 
in  any  degree,  from  the  fellowship  of  the  saints,  in 
5 


50 

their  profession  of  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus.  Thou 
hast  commanded  that  fellowship ;  thou  hast  adapted 
it  to  our  social  nature ;  thou  hast  made  it  the  stream 
of  our  consolation,  the  wall  of  our  safety,  and  the 
field  of  our  usefulness.  May  I  love  to  seek  thy  face 
in  the  tabernacles  of  the  righteous,  and  to  worship 
thee  there  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  May  I  cherish  the 
reputation,  and  welcome  the  instructions,  and  en- 
courage the  labours  of  those  whom  thou  hast  set  to 
minister  in  holy  things.  Lead  me,  O  Lord,  to  seek 
the  interest  of  thy  church,  in  its  purity,  peace,  know* 
ledge,  and  universal  dominion. 

Lord,  cause  all  thy  people  to  strive  for  the  wel- 
fare of  Zion.  May  they  mourn  over  her  desolations, 
and  rejoice  when  her  righteousness  goes  forth  as 
brightness,  and  her  salvation  as  a  lamp  that  burneth. 
Baptize  them  by  one  spirit,  into  one  body ;  and 
make  them  all  one  in  Christ  Jesus.  May  they  feel 
deeply  humbled  at  their  want  of  personal  holiness, 
and  at  their  neglect  in  extending  the  blessings  of 
salvation  to  a  perishing  world.  Let  every  one  that 
nameth  the  name  of  Christ,  depart  from  iniquity. 
May  the  sons  of  God  be  blameless,  and  harmless, 
and  without  rebuke,  in  the  midst  of  a  crooked  and 
perverse  generation  ;  among  whom  may  they  shine, 
as  lights  in  the  world,  holding  forth  the  word  of 
life.  Make  them  a  peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good 
works.  Let  utterance  be  given  to  them,  that  they 
may  open  their  mouths  boldly,  to  make  known  the 
mystery  of  the  gospel.  Let  not  the  ingratitude  nor 
hostility  of  sinners  discourage  their  efforts  to  win 
them  to  thy  service.  May  they  have  the  pleasure 
of  seeing  thy  work  prospering  in  their  hands,  and 
multitudes  added  to  their  number,  of  such  as  shall 
be  saved. 


51 

Arise,  and  have  mercy  on  Zion  :  let  the  time  to 
favour  her,  yea,  the  set  time  come.  Bring  her  up 
from  the  wilderness,  leaning  on  her  Beloved ;  and 
make  her  the  perfection  of  beauty.  When  her 
enemy  comes  in  like  a  flood,  do  thou  lift  up  a 
standard  against  him.  Be  thou  as  a  wall  of  fire 
round  about  her,  and  a  glory  in  the  midst  of  her. 
Hast  thou  not  purchased  her  with  thy  blood ;  and 
wilt  thou  not  grave  her  on  the  palms  of  thy  hands, 
and  set  her  walls  continually  before  thee?  O,  King 
of  Kings,  do  thou  marshal,  and  discipline,  and 
strengthen,  and  multiply  the  sacramental  host,  and 
lead  it  on  conquering  and  to  conquer,  until  the  king- 
doms of  this  world  shall  become  the  kingdoms  of 
our  Lord  and  his  Christ,  and  he  shall  reign  forever 
and  ever. 

CITIES. 

Heavenly  Father,  remember  in  special  mercy,  I 
beseech  thee,  the  cities  of  this  land,  and  of  the 
world.  It  was  in  such  that  Christ  sought  con- 
tinually, in  the  days  of  his  ministry  on  earth,  to 
proclaim  his  words  of  life.  And  it  was  to  such  that 
his  apostles  resorted,  when  commanded  to  go  into 
all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  crea- 
ture. O  Lord,  there  thou  hast  poured  out,  from 
generation  to  generation,  the  most  copious  effusions 
of  thy  Holy  Spirit;  and  hast  built  up  many,  very 
many,  churches  in  the  beauty  of  holiness. 

Gracious  God,  excite  an  earnest  solicitude  in  the 
hearts  of  the  pions,  on  behalf  of  our  populous  places. 
May  they  realize  that  in  these  dwell  the  potent  in- 
fluences of  wealth,  intelligence,  commerce,  and 
numbers,  which  control  the  wide  country  for  good 


or  evil ;  and  that  out  of  them  go  streams  that  poison 
or  heal  the  veins  of  social  life  throughout  the  land. 
Teach  thy  people  that  there  are  the  strongholds  of 
vice,  where  the  adversary  of  souls  stations  his 
choicest  legions,  and  establishes  his  dominion  in  the 
nation.  Show  them  that  if  his  power  could  be  sub- 
verted in  the  midst  of  these  crowded  marts,  his 
sceptre  would  be  broken,  and  his  throne  be  shaken 
to  its  foundations. 

O  God,  make  thy  followers  appreciate  the  facili- 
ties that  are  there  afforded  for  procuring  the  triumph 
oi'  the  gospel.  In  these  thou  hast  gathered  a  large 
proportion  of  the  human  race,  and  hast  put  their 
dwellers  within  the  reach  of  Christian  exertion  for 
their  salvation.  There  thou  hast  planted  the  insti- 
tutions of  religious  benevolence,  which,  like  trees 
of  life,  are  shedding  their  leaves  for  the  healing  of 
the  nations.  And  Lord,  the  wealth  of  our  cities 
can  furnish  the  means,  and  their  numbers  the  men, 
that  shall  carry  to  all  the  earth's  inhabitants  the 
messages  of  mercy. 

Lord,  bless  all  the  instrumentalities  that  are  now 
employed  for  the  conversion  of  these  places.  Bring 
all  their  youthful  population  into  Sabbath-schools, 
and  into  the  nurture  of  the  Lord.  May  personal 
Christian  effort  be  brought  to  bear,  in  prayerful  re- 
liance on  thy  help,  on  every  impenitent  heart.  In- 
crease and  give  universal  application  to  the  power 
of  the  Christian  ministry :  and  roll  on  the  chariot 
of  thy  gospel  amidst  these  dense  congregations  of 
life,  until  each  place  shall  shadow  forth  the  holiness 
and  joy  of  that  city,  which  hath  foundations,  whose 
builder  and  maker  is  God  ! 


53 


COMMUNION     WITH     GOD. 

O  thou  that  hearest  prayer,  grant  that  I  may  hold 
communion  of  spirit  with  thee,  the  Father  of  Spirits. 
As  the  hart  panteth  after  the  water-brooks,  so  may 
my  soul  pant  after  thee  :  and  as  the  parched  land 
drinketh  in  the  rain  of  heaven,  so  let  my  soul  re- 
ceive the  gifts  of  thy  presence.  Dispose  me  to  be 
faithful  and  to  delight  in  the  observance  of  stated 
seasons  of  private  devotion,  and  in  the  frequent  ex- 
ercises of  occasional  prayer.  May  I  love  to  seek 
thee  in  the  tabernacles  of  the  righteous.  Let  my 
thoughts  and  desires  hold  intercourse  with  thee 
in  thy  word,  and  in  thy  works,  and  in  thy  ways. 
Let  my  walk  be  close  with  thee  ;  and  do  thou  fix 
my  affections  on  thee,  as  the  highest  and  noblest 
object  of  love.  Teach  me  thy  will,  that  I  may  ac- 
quaint myself  with  thee,  and  be  at  peace. 

Lord,  lift  up  the  light  of  thy  countenance  upon 
me.  Draw  near  to  me  in  all  my  attempts  to  ap- 
proach thee  ;  and  manifest  thyself  unto  me  as  thou 
dost  not  unto  the  world.  Sprinkle  reconciling  blood 
on  the  altar  where  I  meet  thee.  Kindle  with  heaven- 
ly fire  the  incense  I  bring  thee,  and  let  it  rise  up  as 
a  sweet-smelling  savour  before  thee.  Make  tfiine 
abode  with  me ;  and  let  my  heart  be  a  temple  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.  Give  me  that  spirit  of  adoption  by 
which  I  may  cry,  "  Abba,  Father."  May  I  be  per- 
suaded that  neither  death,  nor  life,  nor  angels,  nor 
principalities,  nor  powers,  nor  any  other  creature, 
shall  be  able  to  separate  me  from  thy  love,  which  is 
in  Christ  Jesus.  Give  me  such  a  sense  of  pardoned 
sin,  as  shall  fill  me  with  holy  joys,  and  strong  pur- 
poses of  new  obedience  to  thy  will.  Grant  me,  in 
these  seasons  of  sweet  converse  with  thee,  those 
5* 


54 

blessings  which  are  spiritual  in  their  nature,  satis 
fying  in  their  possession,  and  eternal  in  their  con- 
tinuance. Cause  me,  in  the  enjoyment  of  them,  to 
commiserate  the  destitution  of  those  who  are  with- 
out God  in  the  world,  and  the  wo  of  them  who  are 
shut  out  from  thy  presence  forever.  O  let  me  cling 
closer  to  this  precious  privilege,  and  be  pervaded 
with  deeper  pity,  and  animated  with  stronger  zeal, 
for  those  who  know  not  the  delights  of  thy  com- 
munion. 

Lord,  vouchsafe  that  my  fellowship  with  thee 
may  be  sought  only  through  him  who  is  the  way, 
the  truth,  and  the  life  ;  for  no  man  cometh  unto  the 
Father  but  by  him.  Let  the  communion  of  thy 
Holy  Spirit  rest  upon  me,  and  abide  within  me, 
now,  henceforth  and  forever. 

COMMUNION     OF     SAINTS. 

Heavenly  Father,  dispose  me,  in  gladness  and 
singleness  of  heart,  to  keep  the  fellowship  of  the 
saints.  May  I  have  more  relish  for  their  company, 
though  they  may  be  poor  and  unhonoured,  than  for 
intercourse  with  those  who  are  lovers  of  pleasure 
more  than  lovers  of  God.  Make  my  communion 
with  them  pleasant  and  profitable  to  my  soul ;  and 
do  thou  come  and  be  in  the  midst  of  us,  to  bless  us. 
Let  our  bonds  of  union  have  the  strength  and  beauty 
of  those  that  bind  the  happy  throng  above,  in  their 
perpetual  fellowship  of  bliss.  May  I  feel  that  we 
are  all  children  of  the  same  Parent ;  brethren  of  the 
same  family;  subjects  of  the  same  discipline  of 
trials  and  duties ;  and  heirs  of  the  same  inheritance 
beyond  the  grave.  Incline  me  to  love  their  persons, 
their  character,  and  their  interests — rejoicing  with 
them  that  do  rejoice,  and  weeping  with  them  that 


55 

weep — ministering  to  their  necessities — holding 
converse  with  them  in  the  grace  of  God — seeking 
not  to  please  myself,  but  bearing  their  infirmities 
and  burdens — and  so  fulfilling  the  law  of  Christ, 
who  hath  given  us  a  new  commandment,  that  we 
love  one  another. 

COMPANY. 

Lord,  teach  me  that  my  habits  of  life,  and  my 
reputation,  will  be  determined  by  the  company  I 
keep.  Make  me  ever  mindful  that  evil  communica- 
tions are  full  of  corruption,  and  that  the  companion 
of  fools  shall  be  destroyed.  Make  me  holy,  harm- 
less, undefiled,  and  separate  from  sinners.  O  let  me 
not  enter  the  path  of  the  wicked,  nor  follow  a  mul- 
titude to  do  evil  ;  and  permit  me  not  to  conform,  in 
any  degree,  to  either  the  principles  or  practices  of 
the  ungodly.  But  when  I  am  called,  in  the  exercise 
of  social  or  religious  duties,  among  the  impenitent, 
enable  me  to  seek  by  kindness,  and  persuasion,  and 
example,  to  win  them  to  the  obedience  of  faith. 
Make  me,  O  Lord,  a  companion  of  them  that  fear 
thee  and  keep  thy  precepts.  May  I  desire  more 
the  fellowship  of  them  that  are  lowly  and  poor  in 
spirit,  than  of  those  who  are  rich  in  this  world's 
goods,  while  their  hearts  are  strangers  to  the  love 
of  God.  Preserve  me,  I  pray  thee,  from  every  un- 
holy association  ;  and  lead  me  to  seek  the  commu- 
nion of  thy  saints,  that  we  may  be  comforted  to- 
gether, by  our  mutual  faith.  Suffer  not  my  conduct, 
anywhere,  to  be  a  reproach  on  thy  cause ;  but  do 
thou  bestow  on  me  grace  to  occupy  my  station  in 
the  family,  in  society,  and  in  the  church,  so  as  to 
promote  thy  glory  in  the  sight  of  men. 


CONDESCENSION      OF     GOD. 

Lord,  what  is  man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him ; 
or  the  son  of  man,  that  thou  visitest  him  ?  Thou 
art  infinite  in  all  thy  perfections,  and  needest  not 
our  praises  nor  services  to  increase  thy  happiness 
and  glory.  If  our  guilty  race  had  continued  even 
as  thou  didst  create  it,  (but  a  little  lower  than  the 
angels,)  we  must  have  praised  thee  for  thy  conde- 
scension in  nourishing  and  governing  us  ;  but  now, 
that  we  have  lifted  the  arm  of  rebellion  against  thee, 
and  have  steeped  our  souls  in  transgression,  how 
greatly  is  thy  condescension  magnified,  in  pursuing 
us  with  thy  mercies,  in  providing  for  our  wants,  in 
protecting  and  delivering  us  from  evil ;  and  above 
all,  in  offering  to  redeem  us  from  our  lost  estate  by 
the  sacrifice  of  thy  Son.  He,  who  knew  no  sin, 
was  made  sin  for  us,  that  we  might  be  made  the 
righteousness  of  God  in  him.  He,  who  was  rich, 
yet  for  our  sakes  became  poor,  that  we  through  his 
poverty  might  be  made  rich.  He,  who  from  eter- 
nity knew  no  pain,  sweat  great  drops  of  blood,  and 
suffered  unspeakable  agony,  that  we  might  escape 
the  wrath  to  come — the  worm  that  never  dieth,  and 
the  fire  that  is  never  quenched.  O  help  me,  God 
of  Grace,  to  acknowledge  thine  undeserved  and  as- 
tonishing mercy.  May  it  draw  me  closer  to  thee 
in  the  bonds  of  love  and  confidence,  and  seal  me 
for  thy  service,  in  a  covenant  never  to  be  forsaken. 

CONFESSION. 

Holy  One  of  Israel,  help  me,  I  beseech  thee,  to 
confess  before  thee  my  unworthiness  and  ill-desert. 
To  whom  but  to  thee  should  I  go  with  the  recital 
of  my  transgressions ;  for  it  is  against  thee,  thee 


57 

only,  I  have  sinned.  Thou  hast  said  that  he  who 
covereth  his  sins  shall  not  prosper ;  while  he  who 
confesseth  and  forsaketh  them  shall  find  mercy.  If 
I  say,  "  I  have  no  sin,"  I  deceive  myself,  and  the 
truth  is  not  in  me ;  but  if  I  confess  my  sins,  thou 
art  faithful  and  just  to  forgive  them,  and  to  cleanse 
me  from  all  unrighteousness. 

O  Lord,  I  have  sinned  against  thee  in  doing  what 
thou  hast  forbidden,  and  in  leaving  undone  what 
thou  hast  commanded.  I  have  transgressed  thy 
law  and  gospel,  in  thought,  word,  and  deed.  I  have 
sinned  in  childhood,  in  youth,  and  in  riper  years. 
I  would  acknowledge  with  shame  and  sorrow,  my 
vanity  and  selfishness,  my  pride  and  hypocrisy,  my 
impatience  and  unbelief,  my  self-indulgence  and 
self-righteousness,  my  neglect  of  thy  service  and 
glory,  and  my  living  to  myself,  and  not  unto  thee. 
How  often  has  my  heart  rebelled  against  thy  whole- 
some discipline  in  affliction,  or  impiously  forgotten 
thy  dispensing  hand  in  the  enjoyment  of  mercies. 
O,  I  have  in  countless  instances,  backslidden  from 
thy  love,  broken  my  covenants  with  thee,  and 
brought  dishonour  on  thy  name.  I  have  rolled  that 
as  a  sweet  morsel  under  my  tongue,  which  has  filled 
heaven  with  solicitude,  earth  with  desolation,  and 
hell  with  anguish.  And  yet  such  has  been  the 
hardness  of  my  heart,  that  1  have  mourned  but 
little  over  such  transgressions. 

O  Lord,  these  my  sins  have  been  protracted 
through  long  years  which  thou  hast  crowned  with 
forbearance  and  mercy.  They  are  heavy  and  black 
with  enormous  guilt,  because  they  were  committed 
in  the  midst  of  light  and  knowledge.  My  trans- 
gressions are  more  numerous  than  the  hairs  of  my 
head  ;  and  if  thou  wert  strict  to  mark  one  in  a  thou- 


58 

sand  of  them,  I  could  not  stand  before  thee.  My 
iniquities  are  increased  over  my  head,  and  my  tres- 
passes are  grown  up  to  the  heavens.  Thou  might- 
est  justly  cause  that  dark  cloud  to  shutout  the  light 
of  thy  countenance  ;  and  gather  there  the  thunders 
of  thy  wrath,  and  break  them  on  my  guilty  head, 
with  an  overwhelming  vengeance.  Lord,  I  am  vile  ; 
what  shall  I  answer  thee?  I  will  lay  my  hand 
upon  my  mouth,  and  put  my  mouth  in  the  dust,  if 
so  be  there  may  be  hope.  God  be  merciful  to  me 
a  sinner. 

CONFIDENCE     IN     GOD. 

O  Lord,  Jehovah,  thou  art  the  strength  of  all  that 
put  their  trust  in  thee.  Thou  art  boundless  in  wis- 
dom, omnipotent  in  power,  and  infinite  in  goodness. 
Thou  dost  not  withhold  any  good  thing  from  him 
that  walketh  uprightly.  Thou  wilt  keep  him  in 
perfect  peace  whose  mind  is  stayed  on  thee,  because 
he  trusteth  in  thee.  He  shall  be  like  a  tree  planted 
by  the  rivers  of  water  ;  that  bringeth  forth  his  fruit 
in  his  season  ;  his  leaf  also  shall  not  wither.  What- 
soever he  doth  shall  prosper ;  and  the  end  of  that 
man  is  peace. 

Lord,  if  thou  art  my  light  and  salvation,  whom 
shall  I  fear  ?  If  thou  art  my  strength,  of  whom 
shall  I  be  afraid  ?  Enable  me,  I  pray  thee,  to  trust 
in  thee  with  all  my  heart;  and  keep  me  from  lean- 
ing on  my  own  understanding.  May  I  cast  all  my 
cares  upon  thee,  in  perils,  in  wants,  in  losses,  in 
griefs,  in  sickness,  and  in  death.  Cause  me  to  hear 
thy  voice,  in  every  variety  of  tribulation,  saying 
unto  me.  "  What  I  do  thou  knowest  not  now,  but 
thou  shalt  know  hereafter."  I  would  remember 
that  oft  when  I  said,  "My  foot  slippeth,"  thy  mercy, 


59 

O  Lord,  held  me  up.  In  the  day  when  I  cried, 
thou  didst  answer  and  strengthen  me.  May  the 
memory  of  thy  past  goodness,  the  possession  of 
present  joys,  and  the  testimonies  of  thy  promises 
persuade  me,  that  though  the  mountains  depart,  and 
the  hills  be  removed,  thy  kindness  doth  not  depart 
from  thee  ;  neither  is  the  covenant  of  thy  peace  re- 
moved. 

Heavenly  Father,  give  me  confidence  towards 
thee  in  the  duty  of  prayer.  May  I  come  to  thee 
as  to  a  forgiving,  a  bountiful,  a  compassionate,  a 
wise,  and  a  powerful  God — for  thou  only  hast  an 
eye  of  pardon,  a  hand  of  plenty,  a  heart  of  pity,  a 
judgment  of  knowledge,  and  an  arm  of  might. 
Assure  me  that  whosoever  cometh  unto  thee,  ihou 
wilt  in  no  wise  cast  out.  Help  me  to  ask  in  faith, 
nothing  wavering. 

God  of  Israel,  inspire  thy  people  with  unlimited 
and  unwavering  reliance  on  thy  character,  dealings, 
and  purposes.  May  they  learn  that  the  word  of 
the  Lord  endureth  for  ever.  Let  them  not  cast  away 
their  confidence,  which  hath  great  recompense  of 
reward.  As  thou  didst  not  withhold  thine  own  Son, 
but  didst  deliver  him  up  for  them,  O  cause  them  to 
hope  that,  with  him,  thou  wilt  freely  give  them  all 
things.  Lord,  let  them  never  forget  that  thou 
makest  all  things  work  together  for  good  to  them 
that  love  thee.  Although  the  fig-tree  may  not  blos- 
som, neither  fruit  be  in  the  vines;  the  labour  of  the 
olive  fail,  and  the  fields  yield  no  meat ;  the  flock 
be  cut  off  from  the  fold,  and  there  be  no  herd  in  the 
stalls — yet  may  they  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  and  joy 
in  the  God  of  their  salvation.  Thou  canst  make 
even  the  bed  of  death  a  couch  of  down  ;  and  the 
gloomy  grave  the  cradle  of  immortality. 


60 


CONSCIENCE. 

God  of  Judgment,  I  thank  thee  that  thou  hast 
given  me  an  inward  monitor,  to  warn  me  against 
iniquity,  and  to  smite  me  when  I  transgress.  May 
I  regard  its  testimony  as  a  proof  of  a  future  judg- 
ment; when  the  righteous  shall  receive  the  recom- 
pense of  reward,  and  the  wicked  the  retribution  of 
wo.  Enable  me,  I  pray  thee,  to  nourish  and  cul- 
ture this  plant  of  thy  hand.  Show  me  that  my 
happiness  and  welfare,  and  the  enjoyment  of  thy 
life-giving  countenance,  will  depend  on  the  activity, 
strength,  and  purity  of  my  conscience.  If  the  light 
that  is  in  me  be  darkness,  how  great  is  that  dark- 
ness !  May  thy  will,  as  exhibited  in  thy  word,  be 
the  supreme  rule  of  its  actings.  May  thy  Spirit 
cleanse  it  from  error  and  sin,  and  animate  it  with 
right  knowledge  and  holy  power.  Lord,  give  it 
peace  through  the  justify  ing  merits  of  Jesus  Christ, 
and  purge  it  from  dead  works  to  serve  the  living 
God.  Make  it  tender  and  watchful,  and  a  faithful 
index  of  thy  sovereign  will ;  that  it  may  be  void 
of  offence  towards  God  and  man. 

Lord,  stimulate  and  give  a  wholesome  vigour  to 
the  conscience  of  all  men.  May  it  exercise  a  con- 
trolling and  righteous  influence  over  their  inmost 
thoughts  and  their  outward  actions.  Teach  them 
that  though  they  may  turn  away  from  its  testi- 
monies, and  stifle  its  chidings,  yet  there  is  a  day 
coming  when,  if  they  continue  impenitent,  it  will 
rise  up  in  judgment  against  them ;  when  he  that 
sitteth  upon  the  throne  will  confirm  its  testimony, 
by  pronouncing  the  verdict  "  Depart,  ye  cursed, 
into  everlasting  fire,  prepared  for  the  devil  and  his 
angels." 


61 


CONSISTENCY. 

Enable  me,  O  Lord,  through  the  grace  of  Jesus, 
to  follow  thee  fully.  May  I  act,  in  all  things,  worthy 
of  the  vocation  wherewith  I  am  called  ;  and  strive 
to  be  of  those,  who,  by  patient  continuance  in  well- 
doing, seek  eternal  life.  Thou  art  entitled  to  my 
full-hearted  and  consistent  obedience.  O  may  that 
obedience  be  without  reserve,  and  without  hy- 
pocrisy. Let  me  not  call  thee  "  Lord,  Lord,"  and 
yet  do  not  the  things  which  thou  sayest.  Make 
my  walk  the  index  of  my  heart ;  and  make  my  heart 
right  in  thy  sight.  Give  me  oil  for  my  lamp,  that 
when  the  Bridegroom  cometh,  I  may  go  forth  in 
joy  to  meet  him.  May  I  remember  that  he  who 
gathereth  not  with  thee,  scattereth  abroad.  Let  me 
never  do  evil  that  good  may  come.  When  I  would 
do  good,  let  not  evil  be  present  with  me:  let  not 
the  law  in  my  members  war  against  the  law  of  my 
mind,  and  bring  me  into  captivity  to  the  law  of  sin. 
Permit  me  not  to  act  so  that  the  way  of  truth  may 
be  evil  spoken  of;  nor  that  the  friends  of  the  gospel 
may  be  ashamed  of  me.  Suffer  not  my  vows  to  be 
as  the  fitful  wind;  nor  my  devotions  as  the  chang- 
ing cloud  ;  nor  my  hopes  as  the  early  dew.  I  be- 
seech thee  to  give  me  strength  to  cleave  to  thy 
service,  steadfastly,  in  penury  and  in  plenty,  in  per- 
secution and  in  peace.  May  my  light  shine  in  evil 
report,  and  in  good  report.  And,  0  Lord,  let  it  be 
as  the  path  of  the  just,  which  shineth  more  and 
more,  unto  the  perfect  day. 

CONTENTMENT. 

Great  Sovereign  of  heaven  and  earth,  thou  art 
infinitely  wise  and  good,  in  all  the  allotments  of 
6 


62 

thy  providence.  I  pray  thee,  teach  me  in  what- 
ever state  I  am,  therewith  to  be  content.  Keep  me, 
O  Lord,  from  envy,  from  avarice,  from  ambition, 
from  anxiety,  and  from  murmuring.  May  I  remem- 
ber it  was  discontent  that  brought  death  into  the 
world,  and  all  its  woes.  Make  me  content  with 
such  things  as  I  have  ;  for  thou  hast  said  thou  wilt 
never  leave  nor  forsake  me,  if  I  put  my  trust  in 
thee.  May  mine  be  the  prayer  of  Agur — "  Give 
me  neither  poverty  nor  riches  ;  lest  I  be  full,  and 
deny  thee  ;  or  be  poor,  and  steal,  and  take  thy  name 
in  vain."  Let  me  not  forget  that  the  love  of  money 
is  the  root  of  evil.  They  who  will  be  rich  fall  into 
many  foolish  and  hurtful  lusts,  which  drown  men 
in  destruction  and  perdition.  Make  my  soul  satis- 
fied in  the  midst  of  losses  and  afflictions.  May  I 
be  ever  ready  to  say — "  The  Lord  gave,  and  the 
Lord  taketh  away:  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord." 
Heavenly  Father,  discipline  me  so  by  thy  grace, 
that  I  shall  be  careful  for  nothing,  but  in  all  things, 
by  prayer  and  supplication,  make  known  my  re- 
quests unto  thee.  Let  me  not  trust  in  uncertain 
riches  ;  but  in  the  living  God,  who  giveth  me  all 
things  richly  to  enjoy.  Show  me  that  human  hap- 
piness consists  not  in  the  abundance  of  worldly  trea- 
sure ;  but  in  godliness,  which  with  contentment  is 
great  gain.  I  am  not  worthy  of  the  least  of  thy 
mercies;  wherefore  then  should  I  complain?  t 
brought  nothing  into  the  world,  and  I  can  carry 
nothing  out ;  let  me  therefore  look  not  at  things 
which  are  seen  and  temporal ;  but  at  things  which 
are  not  seen,  and  that  are  eternal.  May  thy  great 
and  precious  promises  give  me  more  comfort  than 
the  wicked  have,  when  their  corn  and  wine  do  most 
abound.  Induce  me,  O  Lord,  to  seek  my  portion 


63 

where  the  righteous  ohtain  joy  and  gladness,  and 
where  murmuring  and  sorrow  shall  flee  away  for- 
ever. 

CONTRITION. 

0  thou  that  hearest  and  answerest  prayer,  grant 
me,  for  Christ's  sake,  that  contrite  heart,  which  in 
thy  sight  is  of  great  price.     Show  me  my  guilt,  as 
committed  against  thee,  my  Maker,  Governor,  and 
Benefactor.     Lead  me  to  abhor  myself,  and  to  re- 
pent in  dust  and  ashes.     May  I  look  on  him  whom 
I  have  pierced,  and  mourn,  and  be  in  bitterness. 
Give  me   a  deep  consciousness  that  I  deserve  the 
curse  of  that  law  which  I  have  violated.     Lord,  1 
would  acknowledge  my  transgressions  :  O  may  my 
sins  be  ever  before  me. 

1  thank  thee  for  thy  promise,  that  thou  wilt  dwell 
with  him  that  is  of  an  humble  and  contrite  heart. 
Thou  desirest  not  sacrifice ;  else  would  I  give  it. 
Thou  delightest  not  in  burnt  offerings.     The  sa- 
crifices of  God  are  a  broken  spirit :   a  broken  and  a 
contrite  heart,  O  God,  thou  wilt  not  despise.    Pre- 
pare my  heart  for  thine  abode.     According  unto  the 
multitude  of  thy  tender  mercies,  blot  out  all  my 
transgressions.     Create  within  me  a  clean   heart, 
and  renew  a  right  spirit  within  me.     Restore  unto 
me   the  joy  of  thy   salvation,   and  uphold  me  by 
thy  free  Spirit ;  then  will  I  teach  transgressors  thy 
ways,  and  sinners  shall  be  converted  unto  thee. 

CONVERSATION. — See  Tongue. 

CONVERSION. 

Lord,  I  would  come  to  thee,  in  the  name  of  Christ, 
that  I  may  learn  the  necessity,  the  nature,  and  the 
fruits  of  regeneration.  Cf  do  thou  fasten  on  my 


64 

mind,  abiding  convictions  that  the  carnal  mind  is 
enmity  against  thee,  and  that  all  mankind  are  by 
nature  the  children  of  wrath,  and  receive  not  the 
things  of  the  Spirit,  for  they  are  foolishness  to 
them;  neither  can  they  learn  them,  for  they  are 
spiritually  discerned.  Except  a  man  be  born  again, 
he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  God. 

Show  me,  O  Lord,  that  if  any  man  be  in  Christ 
Jesus,  he  is  a  new  creature  ;  old  things  are  passed 
away  ;  all  things  are  become  new.  He  has  put  on 
the  new  man,  which  is  renewed  in  knowledge,  after 
the  image  of  him  who  created  him,  in  righteousness 
and  true  holiness.  It  is  thou,  God  of  Mercy,  who 
workest  in  such  to  will  and  to  do,  of  thine  own 
good  pleasure ;  not  by  works  which  they  have 
done  ;  but  according  to  thy  mercy  ;  by  the  washing 
of  regeneration,  and  the  renewing  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.  They  are  born  not  of  blood,  nor  of  the 
will  of  man,  but  of  God,  who  only  giveth  repent- 
ance unto  life,  and  the  earnest  of  that  Spirit  whereby 
they  are  sealed  until  the  day  of  redemption. 

Teach  me,  O  Lord,  that  they  who  have  been  born 
from  above  bring  forth  fruits,  meet  for  repentance ; 
that  they  add  to  faith  virtue,  knowledge,  temper- 
ance, patience,  godliness,  brotherly  kindness,  and 
charity;  and  that  these,  abounding  in  them,  cause 
them  that  they  be  neither  barren  nor  unfruitful  in 
the  knowledge  of  the  Saviour.  They  are  made 
free  from  sin,  and  have  become  servants  unto  God : 
having  their  fruit  unto  holiness,  and  the  end  ever- 
lasting life. 

Blessed  Saviour,  give  me  evidence  in  my  heart 
and  conduct,  that  I  have  passed  from  death  unto 
life  ;  that  having  been  convinced  of  my  sin  and  mi 
sery,  I  have  had  my  mind  enlightened  in  the  know- 


65 

ledge  of  thee,  my  will  renewed,  and  have  been 
persuaded  and  enabled  to  embrace  thee,  as  thou  art 
freely  offered  in  the  gospel.  Let  me  not  be  satis- 
fied with  the  form  of  godliness,  without  its  life-giv- 
ing power.  Search  me,  O  Lord,  and  try  me  ;  and 
see  if  there  be  any  evil  way  in  me,  and  lead  me  in 
the  way  everlasting.  Make  me  watchful  against 
temptation ;  quick  to  retrace  my  way  when  I  fall 
into  evil ;  ready  to  confess  my  trespasses ;  and 
earnest  in  purposes  of  new  obedience.  Create  in 
me  a  new  heart,  and  renew  a  right  spirit  within  me. 
Grant  me  forgiveness  of  sins,  and  enable  me  to  look 
forward,  with  a  rejoicing  hope,  to  an  inheritance 
among  them  that  are  sanctified.  Vouchsafe  unto 
me,  I  pray  thee,  the  testimony  of  thy  Spirit,  that 
I  have  been  redeemed  by  thy  grace.  O,  if  thou 
hast  begun  a  good  work  in  me,  continue  it  unto  the 
end  ;  and  let  thy  grace  be  in  me  as  a  well  of  living 
water,  springing  up  into  everlasting  life. 

Lord,  convince  the  impenitent  of  sin,  of  righteous- 
ness, and  of  judgment.  Thou  hast  no  pleasure  in 
the  death  of  him  that  dieth,  and  thou  art  not  will- 
ing that  any  should  perish,  but  that  all  should  come 
to  repentance.  O  lead  many  to  inquire  what  they 
must  do  to  be  saved.  Show  them  that  they  who 
are  in  the  flesh  cannot  please  God.  Set  before  them 
distinctly,  life  and  good  ;  death  and  evil.  May  thy 
law  be  a  schoolmaster  to  bring  them  to  Christ,  that 
they  may  be  justified  by  faith.  Persuade  them  to 
believe  in  that  only  name  by  which  sinners  can  be 
saved.  May  they  be  born  again,  not  of  corruptible 
seed,  but  of  incorruptible ;  by  the  word  of  God, 
which  liveth  and  abideth  forever, 
6* 


66 


COUNT  RY. 

Lord,  the  kingdom  is  thine,  and  thou  art  the  Go- 
vernor among  the  nations.  I  thank  thee,  Great 
Ruler,  that  the  lines  have  fallen  to  me  in  pleasant 
places  ;  and  that  I  have  a  goodly  heritage.  Imbue 
my  heart  with  a  Christian  patriotism,  which  will  take 
pleasure  in  every  token  of  my  country's  real  wel- 
fare. May  I  love  it  as  the  place  of  my  home,  my 
sustenance,  my  protection,  and  my  civil  and  reli- 
gious privileges.  I  would  rejoice  in  its  length  and 
breadth,  fitting  it  for  the  ample  support  of  a  teeming 
population — in  its  plenteous  products,  crowning  the 
year  with  goodness — in  its  works  of  art,  binding  it 
in  unity,  and  facilitating  its  commerce,  and  increas- 
ing its  opulence.  I  would  praise  thee  for  its  schools 
of  knowledge,  scattering  instruction  through  every 
class  of  its  inhabitants — for  its  happy  form  of  go- 
vernment which  has  made  it  (though  deeply  dis- 
honoured by  one  form  of  tyranny)  a  beacon  light  to 
other  countries,  and  the  refuge  of  the  oppressed  and 
the  home  of  the  free — and  for  its  banner  of  peace, 
sheltering  it  from  from  foes  without,  and  preserving 
it  from  enemies  within.  But,  above  all,  I  thank 
thee  that  it  is  a  land  of  Bibles,  of  Sabbaths,  of  sanc- 
tuaries, and  of  gospel  light. 

But,  O  Lord,  if  guilt  be  measured  by  the  number 
and  value  of  abused  mercies,  then  has  this  nation  a 
most  fearful  reckoning  with  thee.  Reprove  this 
people,  and  set  their  sins  in  order  before  them.  Lo  ! 
thy  Sabbaths,  which  thou  hast  given  to  be  a  sign 
between  thee  and  us,  are  polluted.  Because  of 
swearing  the  land  mourneth.  This  people  have 
loved  the  gain  of  oppression  and  treachery  ;  and 
have  spoiled  both  the  stranger  and  the  native.  When 


67 

thou  hast  fed  them  to  the  full,  then  they  committed 
adultery,  and  assembled  themselves  by  troops  in  the 
harlots'  houses.  Multitudes  have  loved  the  cup  of 
drunkenness ;  until  our  name  has  been  a  reproach 
among  the  nations.  Our  transgressions,  O  Lord, 
are  multiplied  before  thee ;  and  our  sins  testify 
against  us :  and  thou  hast  a  controversy  with  this 
nation. 

Yet,  Gracious  One,  take  not  the  weapons  of  thine 
indignation,  to  destroy  us.  Make  us  not  as  Admah : 
set  us  not  as  Zeboim.  For  the  sake  of  its  righteous, 
let  thy  repentings  be  kindled  together ;  for  there  is 
a  remnant  who  have  not  bowed  the  knee  to  Baal ; 
and  wbo  sigh  and  cry  for  the  abominations  that  are 
done  in  the  midst  of  us.  May  thy  Church  be  our 
safety.  Thou  hast  said,  that  if  the  wicked  repent, 
and  turn  themselves  from  all  their  transgressions, 
iniquity  shall  not  be  their  ruin.  O  may  we  loose 
all  our  bands  of  wickedness ;  and  then  shall  our 
light  break  forth  as  the  morning ;  and  our  health 
spring  forth  speedily  :  our  righteousness  shall  go 
before  us  ;  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  be  our 
re  re- ward. 

Lord,  bless  this  country.  Cover  it  with  plenty. 
Secure  to  all  its  inhabitants  just  and  equal  laws. 
Let  them  that  rule  over  us,  rule  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord  ;  justifying  the  righteous  and  condemning  the 
wicked.  Let  peace  dwell  in  all  our  borders.  Put 
the  keys  of  knowledge  into  every  hand.  Sanctify 
all  our  prosperity.  Let  the  blessings  of  religion 
reach  every  household  and  every  heart.  Honour 
this  people  by  employing  them  as  chief  instruments 
in  giving  to  every  nation  the  grace  that  bringeth 
salvation.  Be  thou  our  God,  and  we  will  be  thy 
people ! 


68 

COURAGE. 

Lord,  enable  me  to  add  to  faith,  Christian  forti- 
tude. May  I  endure  hardness,  as  a  good  soldier 
of  Jesus  Christ.  Give  me  grace  to  encounter  and 
subdue  the  corruptions  of  my  own  heart ;  and  in 
that  conflict  between  the  flesh  and  the  spirit,  may  I 
come  off  more  than  conqueror  through  him  that 
hath  loved  me. — Strengthen  me  that  I  may  resist 
the  allurements  of  a  world  lying  in  iniquity,  and 
that  I  may  strive  against  the  fear  of  man  ;  re- 
membering that  whosoever  will  deny  Jesus  before 
men,  shall  be  denied  by  him  before  the  Father  in 
heaven.  May  I  always  be  ready  to  answer  every 
man  that  asketh  me,  a  reason  of  the  hope  that  is  in 
me.  Make  me  strong  in  the  power  of  thy  might ; 
for  I  am  not  called  to  wrestle  against  flesh  and  blood, 
merely ;  but  against  principalities  and  powers ; 
against  spiritual  wickedness  in  high  places.  Great 
Captain  of  Salvation,  give  me  the  girdle  of  truth, 
the  breastplate  of  righteousness,  the  shield  of  faith, 
the  helmet  of  salvation,  and  the  sword  of  the  Spirit ; 
and  having  thus  the  whole  armour  of  God,  may  I 
be  able  to  withstand  in  the  evil  day,  and  having  done 
all,  to  stand.  Grant  that  when  the  time  of  my  de- 
parture is  at  hand,  I  may  have  the  consoling  confi- 
dence, that  I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  and  that 
death  shall  be  swallowed  up  in  victory! 

COVENANT. 

Adorable  Jehovah,  I  would  praise  thee  that,  in 
thy  sovereign  mercy,  thou  didst  from  eternity  enter 
into  a  covenant  of  grace,  to  deliver  men  out  of  their 
estate  of  sin  and  misery,  and  to  bring  them  into  an 
estate  of  salvation  by  a  Redeemer.  Lord,  make 
with  me  this  everlasting  covenant,  even  the  sure 


69 

mercies  of  David.  Call  me  with  a  holy  calling; 
not  according  to  works,  but  according  to  thy  pur 
pose,  which  was  given  in  Christ  Jesus  before  the 
world  began;  but  has  now  been  made  manifest  by 
his  appearing,  who  hath  brought  life  and  immortality 
to  light  through  thy  gospel :  and  in  whom  we  have 
redemption,  through  his  blood.  O  bind  me  to  thee 
in  the  adoption  of  thy  children,  wherein  thou  makest 
them  accepted  in  the  Beloved. 

Lord,  assist  me  to  remember  and  keep  all  my  en- 
gagements to  thee.  In  the  silence  of  retirement 
and  communion  with  thee — in  the  acts  of  social 
and  public  prayer — in  the  hearing  of  thy  word  and 
the  singing  of  thy  praise — and  in  the  solemn  sacra- 
ment, where  thy  saints  subscribe  with  the  hand  unto 
the  Lord — I  have  again  and  again  pledged  myself 
unto  thee.  My  vows  are  written  in  my  conscience, 
and  in  the  book  of  thy  remembrance.  Help  me,  I 
beseech  thee,  to  shun  all  that  I  promised  to  forsake : 
help  me,  I  pray  thee,  to  perform  all  that  I  promised 
to  do.  Put  thy  law  into  my  mind,  and  write  it  in 
my  heart;  and  be  my  God,  that  I  may  be  of  thy 
people,  chosen  according  to  thy  covenant  of  grace. 
Make  my  heart  and  life  abundant  in  the  fruits  of 
that  holy  relation.  Let  me  not  forsake  thy  love, 
nor  turn  from  thy  ways,  but  press  on  towards  the 
mark  for  the  prize  of  that  high  calling  which  is  in 
Christ  Jesus. 

Merciful  God,  regard  with  compassion  those  who 
are  aliens  from  the  commonwealth  of  Israel,  and 
strangers  to  the  covenants  of  promise.  Make  them 
feel  the  deep  and  radical  depravity  of  their  hearts. 
Convince  them  of  sin,  as  committed  against  a  holy 
God.  Show  them  the  danger  to  which  they  are 
exposed  while  they  refuse  to  forsake  their  trans- 


70 

gressions.  Exhibit  to  them  Christ  crucified,  as  him 
by  whom  alone  they  can  escape  from  the  dominion, 
the  guilt,  and  the  retribution  of  their  sins.  O  may 
thy  Spirit  give  them  grace  to  receive  and  rest  upon 
him  for  pardon  and  acceptance.  And  grant  that 
they  may  enjoy  a  union  with  him  as  close  and 
fruitful  as  the  branch  which  abideth  in  the  vine. 

COVETOUS  NESS. 

Preserve  me,  Great  Helper,  from  the  vice  of 
covetousness,  which  is  idolatry.  O  let  me  not 
worship  filthy  lucre,  instead  of  the  living  God.  May 
I  remember  the  judgment  of  the  valley  of  Achor, 
on  him  who  coveted  forbidden  spoil ;  and  the  swift 
destruction  of  them  that  kept  back  part  of  the  price, 
and  agreed  together  to  tempt  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord. 
Let  me  not  dishonour  my  faith  in  thee,  nor  blight 
my  spiritual  comfort,  nor  bring  disgrace  on  thy 
cause,  in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  by  indulging  in  this 
wickedness.  Give  me  full  contentment  with  my 
own  condition,  and  a  right  and  charitable  frame  of 
spirit  towards  my  neighbour  and  all  that  is  his. 
Banish  from  my  mind  all  discontentment  with  my 
own  estate ;  all  envying  and  grieving  at  the  good 
of  my  neighbour,  and  all  inordinate  emotions  and 
affections  to  any  thing  that  is  his. 

Help  me,  O  Lord,  to  overcome  the  love  of  the 
world.  May  I  seek  thy  favour  as  the  chief  good 
of  life,  and  say  in  my  heart — "  there  is  none  on 
earth  I  desire  beside  thee."  Lead  me  to  look  with 
the  eye  of  benevolence  on  the  wants  of  my  fellow- 
creatures  ;  and  in  supplying  them,  as  thou  hast 
prospered  me,  to  find  that  it  is  more  blessed  to  give 
than  to  receive.  Let  me  not  seek  to  lay  up  trea- 
sures on  earth,  but  in  heaven  ;  where  moth  and  rust 


71 

do  not  corrupt,   and  where  thieves  cannot  break 
through  and  steal. 

Lord,  redeem  thy  church  from  this  vice,  which 
has  spotted  her  garments,  and  tainted  her  blood,  and 
crippled  her  energies.  How  long,  Blessed  Saviour, 
shall  they,  who  have  covenanted  to  be  thine,  bow 
the  knee  at  the  golden  shrine  of  mammon  ?  Show 
them  that  covetousness  degrades  their  immortal 
nature,  breaks  thy  holy  law,  and  is  the  fruitful  source 
of  manifold  iniquity.  Keep  them  from  those  grasp- 
ings  of  avarice,  those  daring  speculations  and  greedy 
monopolies,  which  are  the  offspring  of  pride,  and 
the  fountains  of  misery.  May  they  thus  judge, 
that  if  Christ  has  bought  them  by  his  own  precious 
blood,  they  should  not  live  for  themselves,  but  for 
him.  Excite  thy  people,  O  Lord,  to  active  and  un- 
wearying benevolence.  As  thou  hast  made  them 
the  stewards  of  thy  multiplied  mercies,  let  none 
forget  to  do  good,  and  to  communicate ;  for  with 
such  sacrifices  thou  art  well  pleased.  May  they 
cease  to  do  evil  and  learn  to  do  well ;  and  labour 
not  for  the  meat  that  perisheth,  but  for  that  which 
endureth  unto  everlasting  life. 

CREATION. 

Great  Builder  of  the  Universe,  in  the  beginning 
thou  didst  make  the  heaven  and  the  earth  ;  and  by 
thee  were  all  things  created,  that  are  in  heaven  and 
earth,  whether  they  be  thrones  or  dominions,  or 
principalities,  or  powers.  Thou  didst  speak,  and  it 
was  done  :  thou  didst  command,  and  it  stood  fast. — 
Lord,  thou  didst  make  man  in  thine  own  image,  in 
knowledge,  righteousness  and  holiness,  with  do- 
minion over  the  creatures.  But  man  being  in  honour 
abode  not.  He  fell  from  that  holy  and  happy  estate, 


72 

in  which  he  was  created,  by  sinning  against  God  ; 
and  now  all  that  dwell  upon  the  face  of  the  earth  are 
by  nature  the  children  of  wrath  :  yea,  the  whole 
creation  groaneth  and  travaileth  in  pain,  because  of 
transgression.  O  God,  redeem  the  works  of  thy 
power  from  their  degeneracy.  May  this  earth  be 
renewed  with  the  beauty  of  Eden.  Breathe  thou 
into  man  the  breath  of  life,  and  make  him  a  new 
creature  in  Christ  Jesus. 

Lord,  assist  me  to  acknowledge  thy  power,  wis- 
dom, and  goodness,  as  they  are  shown  in  the  works 
of  thy  hands.  The  heavens  declare  thy  glory,  and 
the  firmament  showeth  thy  handy-work.  Day  unto 
day  uttereth  speech,  and  night  unto  night  showeth 
knowledge.  There  is  no  speech  nor  language  where 
their  voice  is  not  heard.  Their  line  is  gone  out 
through  all  the  earth  ;  and  their  words  to  the  end 
of  the  world !  All  thy  works  praise  thee.  O  let 
my  tongue  and  my  soul  join  the  chorus  of  creation  ; 
and  praise  thee  in  songs  of  rejoicing,  and  in  new- 
ness of  life. 

Great  God,  make  me  thoughtful  of  the  truth,  that 
the  heavens  and  earth,  which  are  now,  are  kept  in 
store,  reserved  unto  fire  against  the  day  of  judgment, 
and  perdition  of  ungodly  men.  Seeing  then  that 
all  these  things  shall  be  dissolved,  what  manner  of 
person  ought  I  to  be,  in  all  holy  conversation  and 
godliness — looking  for  and  hasting  unto  the  coming 
of  the  day  of  God  ;  wherein  the  heavens,  being  on 
fire,  shall  be  dissolved,  and  the  elements  shall  melt 
with  fervent  heat  ? — Nevertheless,  may  I,  according 
to  thy  promise,  look  for  new  heavens  and  a  new 
earth,  wherein  dwelleth  righteousness. 


73 


DAILY    BREAD. 

Gracious  God,  I  would  bless  thee  that  thou  carest 
for  the  wants  of  this  perishing  body  ;  and  that  thou 
permittest  me  to  ask  thee  for  my  daily  bread.  Herein 
thou  hast  shown  both  thy  condescension  and  thy 
love ;  and  hast  taught  me  my  dependence  on  thee, 
and  warned  me  against  undue  anxiety  respecting 
the  future.  I  confess  before  thee,  that  I  am  prone 
to  neglect  the  duty  of  desiring  and  seeking,  as  the 
gifts  of  thy  hands,  my  food,  and  all  my  temporal 
comforts.  And  in  receiving  them,  how  often  do  I 
fail  to  acknowledge  thy  providing  and  nourishing 
goodness  !  O  lead  me  constantly  to  look  to  thee,  as 
willing  to  give  to  all  their  meat  in  due  season  ;  and 
dispose  me  to  receive  always  thy  benefits  with  hu- 
mility and  thanksgiving. 

Lord,  suffer  not  my  appetite  to  crave  luxury. 
May  I  seek  such  provision  as  will  recruit  and 
strengthen  my  body.  Let  my  steadfast  desire  be, 
that  I  may  be  fitted  by  thy  sustaining  mercies,  for 
thy  service  :  so  that  whether  I  eat  or  drink,  I  may 
do  all  to  the  glory  of  God. 

Teach  me,  for  Jesus'  sake,  that  man  liveth  not 
by  bread  alone,  but  by  every  word  that  proceedeth 
out  of  the  mouth  of  God.  Let  me  esteem  thy 
words  more  than  my  necessary  food.  Let  me  not 
take  thought  what  I  shall  eat  or  drink,  or  where- 
withal I  shall  be  clothed  ;  but  cause  me  to  seek  first 
thy  righteousness ;  and  all  these  things  shall  be 
added  unto  me.  Lord,  feed  me  with  heavenly  manna 
Give  me  the  Bread  of  Life  ;  that  I  may  eat  and  live 
forever. 

7 


74 


DEAF     AND     DUMB. 

Lord,  I  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  given  me  ears 
to  hear,  and  a  tongue  to  speak.  Increase,  I  pray 
thee,  my  gratitude  for  these  invaluable  blessings  ; 
and  dispose  me  to  use  them  for  my  best  good  and  for 
thy  glory. 

Gracious  Parent,  look  in  mercy  on  thy  children, 
to  whom  thou  hast  given  ears  that  know  no  sound, 
and  tongues  that  have  no  speech.  I  bless  thee  that 
thou  hast  so  directed  the  benevolence  of  the  humane, 
that  schemes  have  been  devised,  which  have  re- 
stored, in  part,  to  these  unfortunate  and  dependent 
creatures,  by  the  language  of  signs,  the  gift  of 
speech  ;  and  that  they  have  been  led  to  the  fountains 
of  precious  knowledge,  and  taught  useful  arts. — If 
it  please  thee,  O  let  the  science  of  man,  in  the  mul- 
titude of  its  discoveries,  find  a  remedy  that  will 
cause  the  deaf  to  hear,  and  the  dumb  to  speak.  Yet, 
if  thy  wisdom  deny  this  prayer,  give  perfection  and 
universal  use  to  the  plans  invented  for  the  benefit 
of  deaf  mutes. 

Lord,  though  thou  hast  stopped  their  ears  to  the 
language  of  man,  do  thou  speak  to  them  in  the 
whispers  of  thy  Spirit.  Though  thou  hast  denied 
to  them  the  utterance  of  words,  do  thou  give  their 
hearts  a  voice  of  praise.  Grant,  O  God,  that  many 
of  them  may  be  prepared  for  that  kingdom,  where 
the  blemishes  and  defects  of  human  nature,  shall  be 
exchanged  for  the  beauty  and  perfection  of  the 
spiritual  life. 

DEATH. 

Blessed  Lord,  make  me  ever  mindful  of  the  truth, 
that  it  is  appointed  unto  all  men  once  to  die.  Thou 
canst  wound  and  kill,  and  there  is  none  to  deliver 


75 

out  of  thy  hand.  Thou  hast  determined  our  days, 
and  appointed  the  bounds  of  our  habitations.  O 
lead  me  to  consider  my  latter  end,  and  teach  me  to 
number  my  days,  that  I  may  apply  my  heart  unto 
wisdom.  Make  me  to  know  my  end,  and  the  mea- 
sure of  my  days,  that  I  may  learn  how  frail  I  am. 
Lord,  what  is  my  life  ?  It  is  a  vapour  that  appear- 
eth  for  a  little  while,  and  then  vanisheth  away. 

Teach  me,  thou  Source  of  Wisdom,  that  death 
is  the  great  crisis  of  my  being,  which  will  determine 
my  destiny  forever.  He  whom  it  finds  unjust  and 
filthy,  shall  be  unjust  and  filthy  still ;  and  he  whom 
it  finds  righteous  and  holy,  shall  be  righteous  and 
holy  still.  Lord,  let  me  pass  the  time  of  my  so- 
journing here  in  fear,  seeking  to  be  ready  for  its 
solemn  message ;  for  in  such  an  hour  as  we  think 
not,  the  Son  of  Man  cometh.  Whatsoever,  therefore, 
my  hand  findeth  to  do,  may  I  do  it  with  niy  might; 
since  there  is  no  work,  nor  device,  nor  knowledge, 
nor  wisdom,  in  the  grave  whither  I  go.  Let  me 
not  fear  them  that  can  kill  the  body,  but  are  not 
able  to  kill  the  soul ;  but  rather  fear  him  who  is  able 
to  destroy  both  soul  and  body  in  hell,  which  is  the 
second  death. 

Lord,  train  me  to  such  habits  of  obedience  to  thy 
will,  and  trust  in  thy  dealings,  and  faith  in  thy 
promises,  that  while  I  look  upon  the  earthly  house 
of  this  tabernacle,  as  one  that  must  be  dissolved,  I 
may  rejoice  in  the  hope,  that  I  shall  have  a  building 
of  God,  a  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in 
the  heavens.  When  I  am  called  to  walk  through 
the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  be  thou  my  rod 
and  staff,  to  comfort  me :  and  when  my  heart  and 
flesh  fail,  be  thou  the  strength  of  my  heart,  and  my 


76 

portion  forever.  Let  me  die  the  death  of  the  righte- 
ous, and  let  my  last  end  be  like  his. 

Lord,  fix  the  thoughts  of  the  impenitent  on  that 
great  event  in  their  history,  when  the  last  fibres  of 
life  are  breaking;  and  the  soul,  fluttering  on  the 
verge  of  eternity,  looks  back  on  the  familiar  scenes 
of  earth  with  keen  remorse,  and  forward  on  the  un- 
known future  with  acute  despair.  May  they  now 
inquire,  "  How  shall  my  heart  endure,  or  my 
hands  be  strong,  in  the  day  when  thou  wilt  deal 
with  me  ?"  Persuade  them  to  make  their  peace 
with  thee  now  ;  and  then  amid  the  strife  of  dissolu- 
tion, thou  wilt  soothe  their  tender  consciences  with 
the  assurance  of  pardoned  sin,  and  cheer  their  faint- 
ing hearts  with  the  hope  of  glory. 

Look  in  mercy,  I  pray  thee,  on  those  who  are 
encompassed  by  the  sorrows  of  death.  Prepare 
them  for  their  solemn  and  awful  change.  If  they 
have  made  their  peace  with  thee,  through  the  blood 
of  Christ,  comfort  them,  and  give  them  blessed  fore- 
tastes of  thy  heavenly  kingdom.  But  if  they  have 
not,  O  bring  them  by  thy  saving  power  into  thy 
covenant  of  grace. 

O  thou  who  didst  weep  at  the  tomb  of  Lazarus, 
comfort  those  who  mourn  for  the  loss  of  cherished 
friends.  May  they  kiss  thy  rod  ;  and  if  it  be  con- 
sistent with  the  life  or  death  of  the  departed,  let 
them  not  sorrow  as  those  who  have  no  hope ;  but 
look  forward  to  that  hour,  when  the  hand  that  now 
has  riven,  will  restore  their  fellowship,  and  make  it 
pure  as  the  light  and  lasting  as  the  days  of  heaven  ! 

DECISION. 

Almighty  God,  help  me  to  resolve  to  be  thine, 
wholly  thine,  in  the  bonds  of  an  everlasting  cove- 


77 

nant.  Let  me  not  halt  between  two  opinions,  but 
choose  now  to  serve  the  living  and  true  God,  with 
all  my  heart,  and  soul,  and  mind,  and  strength.  O 
let  me  not  harden  my  heart,  nor  provoke  thy  wrath, 
by  putting  off  to  a  more  convenient  season,  the 
things  which  belong  to  my  everlasting  peace.  May 
I  learn  that  now  is  thine  accepted  time  for  the  dis- 
charge of  duty,  and  this  the  day  of  that  salvation 
which  makes  thy  saints  willing  subjects  of  thy 
power.  Teach  me  that  there  are  no  neutrals  in  thy 
dominion :  and  that  he  who  is  not  with  thee  is 
against  thee.  Lord,  make  me  not  only  almost,  but 
altogether  a  Christian.  May  thy  word,  and  provi- 
dence, and  Spirit  inspire  me  with  energy  of  purpose 
to  do  thy  pleasure.  Whatsoever  I  do,  may  I  do  it 
heartily,  as  to  the  Lord,  and  not  to  men.  O  make 
me  steadfast,  unmovable,  always  abounding  in  the 
work  of  the  Lord  ;  for  we  know  that  our  labour  is 
not  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 

DEPENDENCE, 

My  soul,  wait  thou  only  upon  God  ;  for  my  ex- 
pectation is  from  him.  Teach  me,  Giver  of  Mercies, 
my  absolute  and  continual  dependence  on  thee  for 
life,  and  breath,  and  all  things.  Thou  didst  make 
me  by  the  word  of  thy  power,  and  I  live  every  mo- 
ment at  the  expense  of  thy  bounty.  I  am  full  of 
wants,  without  any  ability  in  myself  to  supply  them. 
I  am  a  creature  of  yesterday ;  my  breath  is  in  my 
nostrils ;  and  I  am  crushed  before  the  moth.  I  know 
not  what  a  day  may  bring  forth :  I  cannot  add  one 
cubit  to  my  stature  ;  nor  make  one  hair  of  my  head 
white  or  black.  Grant  me,  I  pray  thee,  such  an 
abiding  conviction  of  my  subjection  to  thee  as  shall 
keep  me  from  resting  on  an  arm  of  flesh,  and  lead 
7* 


78 

me  to  trust  in  the  living  God.  In  the  hour  of  pros- 
perity, let  me  not  forget  that  thou  art  the  giver  of 
every  good  and  perfect  gift :  and  in  the  season  of 
affliction,  show  me  that  thou  canst  comfort  me  on 
every  side — canst  make  my  wilderness  as  Eden,  and 
my  desert  as  the  garden  of  the  Lord.  Make  me 
realize  that  in  all  my  efforts  to  do  good,  either  to 
myself  or  others,  I  must  depend  on  thee.  Thou 
only  givest  the  increase.  But  blessed  be  thy  name, 
thy  Spirit  helpeth  my  infirmities  ;  and  thy  strength 
is  made  perfect  in  my  weakness. 

Assist  me  by  thy  grace,  in  all  the  vicissitudes  of 
life,  to  feel  that  thou  art  a  present  help  in  every  hour 
of  need.  When  toil  and  care,  fears  and  trials  encom- 
pass me,  lead  me  to  thee,  with  whom  alone  dwell- 
eth  that  peace  which  passeth  understanding:  and  do 
thou  guide  me  into  green  pastures  and  beside  still 
waters ;  and  let  thy  banner  over  me  be  love.  And 
grant,  O  Lord,  through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ, 
that  when  I  am  called  to  struggle  with  the  king 
of  terrors,  thy  grace  may  be  sufficient  for  me,  and 
that  I  may  be  made  glad  in  the  hope  of  eternal 
life. 

DEPRAVITY. — See  Human  Depravity. 

DILIGENCE. 

Lord,  quicken  thou  me  in  thy  way.  Make  me 
diligent  in  thy  work,  continuing  instant  in  prayer, 
redeeming  the  time,  because  the  days  are  evil. 
Grant,  that  in  every  duty  I  may  be  active,  watchful 
and  persevering ;  for  no  man  having  put  his  hand 
to  the  plough,  and  looking  back,  is  fit  for  the  king- 
dom of  God.  Let  noC  mine  be  the  doom  of  that 
servant  who  hid  his  master's  talent  in  the  earth. 


79 

Let  me  not  be  slothful  in  business,  but  fervent  in 
spirit,  serving  the  Lord.  Suffer  me  not  to  rely  on 
the  memory  of  past  experience,  nor  on  the  hope  of 
future  obedience  ;  but  whatsoever  my  hand  findeth 
to  do,  give  me  zeal  to  do  it  with  my  might.  O  give 
me  the  spirit  of  diligence  in  every  work  of  faith 
and  labour  of  love  ;  remembering  my  accountability 
to  thee,  the  importance  of  the  trusts  thou  hast  re- 
posed in  me,  the  shortness  of  human  life,  and  the 
abundant  rewards  thou  hast  promised  to  them  who 
are  faithful  in  thy  service.  Lord,  enable  me  to  lay 
aside  every  weight,  and  the  sin  which  doth  so  easily 
beset  me,  and  run  with  patience  the  race  that  is  set 
before  me ;  looking  unto  Jesus,  the  author  and 
finisher  of  faith,  and  pressing  toward  the  mark,  for 
the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of  God,  which  is  in 
Christ  Jesus. 

Lord,  rebuke  the  sloth  of  thy  covenant-people. 
Give  them  a  spirit  of  active  energy  in  all  that  re- 
lates to  the  sanctification  of  their  own  hearts,  the 
saving  health  of  thy  church,  and  the  conversion  of 
sinners.  Yet  do  thou  make  them  feel  that  while 
they  strive  with  all  their  vigour  in  the  obedience  of 
faith,  it  is  thou  that  workest  all  in  all. 

DOUBTS. 

Merciful  Father,  preserve  me  from  a  doubtful 
mind.  Let  not  disease  of  body,  nor  affliction  of 
mind,  disquiet  my  soul  within  me.  Let  not  igno- 
rance nor  error  intrude  on  my  comfort  in  the  hope 
of  the  gospel.  Let  not  Satan  unsettle  my  trust  in 
thy  covenant  of  mercy.  And  O,  suffer  not  sin,  in 
any  form,  to  bring  a  cloud  over  the  light  of  thy 
countenance,  and  the  joys  of  thy  salvation. — O  thou 
that  givest  rest  to  the  weary  and  heavy-laden,  show 


80 

me  that  thy  mercy  endureth  forever.  Teach  me 
that  thou  art  merciful  and  gracious,  long-suffering 
and  abundant  in  goodness.  Lead  me,  I  pray  thee, 
in  every  feeling  of  despondency,  to  that  throne 
from  which  thou  givest  grace  to  help  in  every  sea- 
son of  trial.  Say  unto  me,  when  accused  by  a 
guilty  conscience — "  Come,  let  us  reason  together: 
though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they  shall  be  as 
white  as  snow  :  though  they  be  red,  like  crimson, 
they  shall  be  as  wool."  Dissipate  my  fears,  and 
give  me  an  assurance  of  an  interest  in  thy  favour, 
and  of  acceptance  in  thy  sight,  through  the  right- 
eousness of  Christ.  Grant  me  thy  blessed  Com- 
forter, that  I  may  have  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Cheer  me  by  thy  gracious  promises,  which  are  Yea 
and  Amen  in  Christ  Jesus.  Give  me,  0  Lord, 
beauty  for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  and 
the  garments  of  praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness. 
Let  my  light  rise  in  my  obscurity,  and  my  darkness 
be  as  the  noonday.  Cause  thy  righteousness  to 
go  before  me,  and  thy  glory  to  be  my  re  re- ward ! 

DUELING. 

Lord,  I  would  mourn  before  thee  that  man  still 
imbrues,  in  single  combat,  his  hand  in  the  blood 
of  his  fellow-man.  O,  thou  seest  that  many  hearts, 
which  were  cherished  in  the  social  and  family  circle ; 
many  lives,  which  were  valuable  in  the  public  ser- 
vice ;  and  many  souls,  whose  redemption  was  pre- 
cious— have  been  periled  and  cast  away  in  these 
barbarous  rencounters. — Lord,  wilt  thou  not  utterly 
subvert  that  merciless  code  of  honour,  which  com- 
bines folly  and  cowardice,  madness  and  malice,  sui- 
cide and  murder  ?  Do  thou  bring  against  this 
presumptuous  and  heaven-daring  sin,  a  flood-tide 


81 

of  public  opinion.  Let  the  pulpit,  the  press,  the 
forum,  and  every  circle  of  influence,  speak  out  with 
a  condemning  voice.  Cause  the  blood  that  has 
been  spilt  in  this  unrighteousness,  to  cry  from  the 
ground  against  it.  May  every  principal  and  every 
accessory  to  it,  be  regarded  in  society,  and  treated 
in  law,  as  murderers.  Let  the  terrors  of  an  aveng- 
ing Jehovah  startle  the  fears  and  quell  the  violence 
of  every  one  that  would  lift  up  his  hand  against  his 
brother. 

Lord,  make  the  statutes  of  the  land  and  the  law 
of  God  the  umpires  in  all  the  collisions  between 
man  and  man.  Let  humility,  forbearance,  and  love, 
supplant  pride,  insult,  and  revenge.  And  grant,  I 
pray  thee,  that  the  balmy  atmosphere  of  peace  may 
encircle  the  whole  earth. 

DUTY. 

Eternal  God,  O  may  my  daily  and  hourly  inquiry 
be,  "  What  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do?"  Instruct  me 
that  the  duty  which  thou  requirest  of  me,  is  obedi- 
ence to  thy  revealed  will.  Help  me,  I  pray  thee, 
to  discharge  all  my  obligations  to  thee,  to  myself, 
and  to  my  fellow-creatures. 

May  I  love  thee  with  all  my  soul,  and  mind,  and 
strength,  and  heart.  Dispose  me  to  submit  to  thy 
will ;  to  love  thy  character  ;  to  trust  in  thy  name  ; 
and  to  fear  thine  excellent  greatness.  May  I  regard 
thee  as,  through  Christ,  the  object  of  prayer,  and 
the  rewarder  of  them  who  diligently  seek  thee. 
Help  me,  I  pray  thee,  to  worship  thee,  who  art  a 
Spirit,  in  spirit  and  in  truth. 

Lord,  enable  me,  by  thy  Spirit,  to  do  my  duty  to 
myself.  May  I  exercise  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  repentance  unto  life  ;  and  make  a  dili- 


82 

gent  use  of  all  the  outward  and  ordinary  means 
whereby  Christ  communicates  unto  us  the  benefits 
of  redemption.  May  I  Avork  out  my  salvation  with 
fear  and  trembling,  knowing  that  it  is  God  that 
worketh  in  me,  to  will  and  to  do  of  his  own  good 
pleasure. 

Assist  me,  O  Lord,  to  perform  all  the  duties, 
social,  civil,  and  religious,  which  I  owe  to  my  fel- 
low-creatures. May  my  conduct  to  them  be  governed 
by  that  spirit  of  charity  which  excludes  anger,  re- 
venge, censoriousness,  prejudice,  injury,  and  op- 
pression. Make  me  averse  to  injure  the  feelings, 
persons,  property  and  character  of  any.  May  I 
delight  in  the  happiness  of  others.  Make  my  heart 
a  well-spring  of  sympathy,  compassion,  and  libe- 
rality ;  and  lead  me  to  spend  cheerfully  my  pro- 
perty, my  time,  and,  if  needs  be,  my  life,  in  works 
of  mercy  and  justice.  Enable  me  to  fulfil  all  my 
relations  as  a  superior,  an  inferior,  and  an  equal. 

Lord,  I  thank  thee  for  the  encouragements  thou 
art  giving,  in  the  course  of  thy  providence,  to  reli- 
gious effort,  by  making  rich  with  thy  blessing  those 
who  are  diligent  in  thy  cause.  Yet,  I  would  feel 
that  while  these  things  are  to  be  remembered  with 
thankfulness,  they  increase  my  obligation  to  labour, 
that  I  may  return  thine  own  to  thee  with  abundant 
usury. — Strengthen  me,  I  pray  thee,  to  do  thy  will, 
while  it  is  called  to-day — to  do  it  with  my  might, 
and  with  perseverance  therein  to  the  end — even  as 
thine  angels  do  it  in  heaven. 

Lord,  I  would  offer  these  and  all  other  petitions 
through  him  who  is  the  Prophet,  Priest,  and  King 
of  the  whole  Israel  of  God  ;  and  without  whose 
merits  and  intercessions,  all  my  services  would  be 
without  hope  or  profit. — [See  OBEDIENCE.] 


83 


EARLY    PIETY. 

Heavenly  Father,  I  thank  thee  for  the  evidence 
which  thy  word  and  the  history  of  thy  church  give 
us,  that  children  and  youth  may  be  taught  to  love 
thy  name,  and  do  thy  will.  Whilst  thou  hast  hid 
these  things  from  the  wise  and  prudent,  thou  hast 
revealed  them  unto  babes.  Thou  hast  told  the  young 
to  remember  thee  ;  and  hast  given  thy  promise  that 
those  who  seek  thee  early  shall  find  thee.  Our 
blessed  Saviour  said,  "  Suffer  little  children  to  come 
unto  me :"  and  he  took  them  in  his  arms  and 
blessed  them,  saying,  "  Of  such  is  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.'1  Lord,  thy  church,  in  every  age,  but  es- 
pecially in  our  own,  has  raised  up  many  witnesses, 
that  thou  canst  satisfy  the  children  of  men  early 
with  thy  mercy,  that  they  may  rejoice  and  be  glad 
all  their  days. 

Lord,  increase  and  multiply  greatly  the  instances 
of  early  piety.  May  multitudes  of  children  feel 
and  act  from  the  motives  which  should  lead  them 
to  do  that  which  is  well  pleasing  in  the  sight  of  the 
Lord.  Convince  them  that  they  are  sinners,  ex- 
posed to  thy  wrath,  walking  in  rebellion  against 
their  heavenly  Father,  and  yet  receiving  the  most 
tender  offers  of  mercy  through  Christ  the  Saviour. 
Make  them  feel  that  Christian  friends  and  happy 
spirits,  holy  angels  and  Jesus  Christ,  desire  their 
salvation.  Make  them  understand  something  of  the 
worth  of  the  soul ;  of  ^death  and  judgment ;  of 
heaven  and  hell.  O  lead  them,  through  repentance 
and  faith  in  Jesus,  to  remember  and  serve  thee  in 
the  days  of  their  youth. 

Shepherd  of  Israel,  rebuke  the  unbelief  of  thy 
church  respecting  the  conversion  of  children,  even 


84 

as  thou  didst  rebuke  thy  disciples  when  they  would 
have  hindered  such  from  coming  to  thee.  Let  none 
despise  these  little  ones  ;  for  thou  hast  warned  us 
that  their  angels  do  always  behold  the  face  of  their 
Father  in  heaven.  O  may  thy  saints  on  earth  be 
instruments  of  leading  them  to  Christ,  and  training 
them  as  plants  of  righteousness,  whose  leaf  shall 
not  wither,  and  who  will  bring  forth  the  fruits  of 
grace.  Bless,  I  beseech  thee,  the  various  means 
which  are  now  used  to  fill  the  minds  of  children 
with  religious  truth.  Let  not  this  condemnation 
come  upon  them,  that  they  knew  thy  will,  but  did 
it  not.  O  may  their  privileges  be  to  them  as  the 
small  rain  upon  the  tender  herb,  and  as  showers  that 
water  the  earth  ;  and  which  cause  it  to  bring  forth 
beauty,  and  verdure,  and  fruit. — [_See  SABBATH 
SCHOOLS.] 

EDUCATION. 

God  of  Wisdom,  I  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  given 
me  a  rational  mind  and  an  immortal  soul,  capable 
of  being  trained  to  the  highest  and  noblest  exercises 
of  thought  and  feeling.  Teach  me  that  thou  hast 
put  on  me  the  responsibility  of  training  these  pow- 
ers in  wisdom  and  holiness,  that  I  may  glorify  God, 
do  good  unto  others,  and  fill  up  the  measure  of  my 
everlasting  happiness  and  welfare.  Let  me  not,  I 
beseech  thee,  by  any  neglect  or  perversion  of  my 
rational  and  immortal  faculties,  defeat  thy  benevo- 
lence in  placing  me  so  far  above  the  brutes  that 
perish.  O  lead  my  understanding  into  useful  know- 
ledge, and  my  heart  into  redeeming  grace. 

Lord,  bless  the  useful  discoveries  and  efforts  that 
have  been  made,  and  are  now  making,  for  the  spread 
of  education.  O  diffuse  and  increase  them,  every- 


85 

where,  until  every  human  mind  will  know  its  pow- 
ers, and  exercise  them  in  such  spheres  as  will  make 
them  a  blessing  to  itself,  to  its  country,  and  to  the 
world.  Assist  those  who  would  scatter,  by  the  light 
of  truth,  the  mists  of  ignorance  and  error  that  hang 
over  the  minds  of  the  great  mass  of  mankind  :  but 
suffer  them  not  to  forget  that  righteousness  is  the 
stability  of  truth,  and  holiness  the  safeguard  of 
knowledge.  Make  all  our  schools  and  seminaries 
nurseries  of  piety  as  well  as  of  learning.  Cast  the 
healing  salt  of  thy  grace  into  all  the  fountains  of 
knowledge,  and  cause  them  to  send  forth  copious 
and  unfailing  streams  that  will  make  glad  the  city 
of  our  God. 


Father  in  Heaven,  preserve  my  heart  from  the 
baneful  dominion  of  envy.  Teach  me  its  exceed- 
ing sinfulness,  and  show  me  that  if  I  indulge  in  it, 
it  will  be  a  fountain  of  unhappiness  to  myself,  and 
of  mischief  to  my  fellows  ;  while  it  will  bring  down 
on  me  thy  heavy  displeasure.  Lord,  let  me  not  be 
jealous  of  the  gifts,  or  advantages,  or  success  of 
others.  Let  me  not  be  envious  of  the  prosperity 
of  the  wicked,  whose  eyes  stand  out  with  fatness, 
and  who  have  more  than  heart  could  wish  :  surely 
thou  hast  set  them  in  slippery  places  !  Though  a 
sinner  do  evil  a  hundred  times,  and  his  days  be  pro- 
longed ;  yet  may  I  be  assured  it  will  be  well  only 
with  them  that  fear  the  Lord.  May  I  feel  that  I  am 
not  worthy  of  the  least  of  the  mercies  thou  hast 
already  given  me ;  and  teach  me  that  thou  hast  not, 
in  caprice,  withheld  from  me,  and  bestowed  on 
others,  the  things  which  seem  good  in  my  eyes. 
8 


86 

Lord,  make  me  content  with  thy  will ;  and  so  shall 
my  heart  rejoice  in  thy  ways  for  evermore. 

ERROR. 

Lord,  I  would  come  to  thee,  in  the  worthy  name 
of  Jesus,  to  implore  thee  to  shield  my  judgment 
and  heart  from  the  influence  of  error.  Give  me 
sound  knowledge  and  right  feelings.  Make  me 
quick  to  discern  that  which  is  right,  and  to  reject 
that  which  is  wrong.  Keep  me  from  the  way  of 
the  wicked,  which  is  as  darkness  ;  and  who  know 
not  at  what  they  stumble.  Lead  me  to  do  thy  will, 
that  I  may  know  of  every  doctrine  whether  it  be 
of  God.  O  let  not  ignorance  cloud  my  understand- 
ing ;  nor  prejudice  warp  my  judgment ;  nor  interest 
stifle  my  conscience  ;  nor  sin  fetter  my  will :  but 
do  thou  enable  me  to  detect,  and  hate,  and  shun  what 
is  false,  and  to  know,  and  love,  and  follow  the  truth, 
through  evil  and  good  report. 

Lord,  subdue  and  scatter  every  form  of  error  in 
thy  church,  and  throughout  the  world.  Remove 
from  the  household  of  faith,  every  thing  that  exalts 
itself  against  thy  word,  and  perverts  the  right  ways 
of  the  Lord.  Bring  thy  people  of  every  name,  into 
the  unity  of  the  Spirit. — Almighty  God,  cast  down 
the  Man  of  Sin  ;  overthrow  the  False  Prophet ; 
scatter  the  temples  of  Idolatry  ;  break  the  fetters  of 
Infidelity  ;  and  overturn,  and  overturn,  and  overturn, 
until  the  Prince  of  Truth  shall  have  the  uttermost 
parts  of  the  earth  for  his  possession. 

ETERNITY. 

O  God,  help  me  to  dwell,  by  faith  and  prayer,  on 
the  solemn  realities  of  the  world  to  come.  Thou 
hast  made  me  in  the  image  of  thine  own  eternity, 


87 

with  powers  that  are  capable  of  eternal  progress  in 
holiness,  knowledge,  and  happiness — or  in  sin, 
error,  and  wo  :  and  thou  hast  filled  my  soul  with 
hopes  and  fears  that  travel  far  beyond  the  narrow 
limits  of  this  life,  and  find  their  home  in  the  future 
state  of  endless  being.  My  condition  will  be  fixed 
either  in  heaven  or  hell — enjoying  the  light  of  thy 
countenance,  or  cast  out  from  thy  presence  for  ever 
—rejoicing  in  the  company  of  the  good,  or  enduring 
the  fellowship  of  the  wicked — bathing  in  the  foun- 
tain of  eternal  bliss,  or  plunging  in  the  burning  lake 
of  undying  wo. 

Lord,  I  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  revealed  eternal 
things  to  me,  and  hast  shown  me  how  I  may  escape 
everlasting  death,  and  obtain  eternal  life.  Give  me 
a  firm  belief  of  their  reality,  and  a  deep  conviction 
of  their  importance.  Teach  me,  O  God  of  Mercy, 
that  life,  and  time,  and  means  are  given  me  to 
prepare  for  eternity — that  there  is  but  a  step  between 
me  and  death — and  that  according  to  my  character 
then,  will  be  my  destiny  forever.  O  seal  me  now 
by  thy  Spirit  until  the  day  of  redemption  ;  and  then 
let  an  entrance  be  ministered  unto  me,  abundantly, 
into  the  everlasting  kingdom  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  where  my  tongue  shall  utter  a  ceaseless 
anthem  of  praise,  my  understanding  enjoy  an  un- 
clouded knowledge  of  truth,  and  my  soul  delight  in 
a  perpetual  feast  of  love. — [_See  HEAVEN,  HELL, 
SOUL.] 

ETERNITY  OF  GOD. 

From  everlasting  to  everlasting,  thou  art  God. 
The  number  of  thy  years  cannot  be  searched  out ; 
for  thou  hast  no  beginning  of  days,  nor  end  of  years. 
Thou  art  Alpha  and  Omega  ;  the  beginning  and 


88 

ending ;  which  is,  and  which  was,  and  which  is  to 
come  ;  with  whom  the  past,  the  present,  and  the 
future  are  one  eternal  NOW.  Thou  hast  life  in  thy- 
self; and  all  thy  creatures  have  their  being  in  thee. 
Heaven  and  earth  shall  perish,  but  thou  shalt  en- 
dure :  they  shall  wax  old  like  a  garment ;  as  a 
vesture  shalt  thou  change  them,  and  they  shall  be 
changed  ;  but  thou  art  the  same,  and  thy  years  shall 
have  no  end. 

Lord,  may  the  solemn  truth  that  thou  art  eternal, 
suitably  affect  my  heart  and  control  my  conduct. 
Thou  hast  undying  power,  to  make  me  happy  or 
wretched  forever.  Throughout  the  ceaseless  ages 
of  eternity,  thy  hand  will  be  on  me  for  weal  or  wo. 
O  do  thou  enable  me  to  shun  the  wrath  to  come, 
and  to  lay  hold  on  eternal  life.  Make  with  me  now 
thine  everlasting  covenant;  and  be  the  strength  of 
my  heart,  and  my  portion  forever. 


Great  Sovereign,  it  has  pleased  thee,  in  the  un- 
searchable purposes  of  thy  wisdom,  to  permit  sick- 
ness and  pain,  misfortune  and  misery,  death  and 
sin,  to  dwell  on  earth,  and  turn  its  gardens  into  de- 
serts, its  joys  into  sorrows,  and  thy  subjects  into 
rebels  against  thy  mercy  and  justice.  It  is  even  so, 
Father,  for  so  it  hath  seemed  good  in  thy  sight. 
Yet,  I  am  persuaded  that  thou  art  controlling  and 
overruling  every  evil  thing  for  the  accomplishment 
of  thy  great  designs.  I  know  thou  hast  taught  the 
whole  intelligent  universe,  by  the  history  of  man's 
fall,  the  bitter  fruits  of  transgression  :  and  I  rejoice 
that  in  due  time,  thou  didst  commend  thy  love  to 
us,  in  that  while  we  were  yet  sinners,  Christ  died 
for  us  ;  that  where  sin  and  its  fruits  have  abounded, 


89 

grace  and  its  blessings  may  much  more  abound. 
Father  in  Heaven,  restore,  I  pray  thee,  this  earth  to 
the  happiness  and  purity  of  its  first  creation.  Re- 
move every  thing  that  would  mar  the  peace  and  ho- 
liness of  mankind  :  and  grant  that  as  sin  has  reigned 
unto  death,  even  so  may  grace  reign,  through 
righteousness,  unto  eternal  life,  by  Jesus  Christ, 
our  Lord. 

EXAMPLE. 

Lord,  make  me  understand  the  good  and  evil  in- 
fluences I  may  exert  in  the  world  by  my  example 
Let  me  not  dishonour  thy  name,  nor  cast  shame  on 
thy  church,  nor  throw  a  stumbling-block  in  the  way 
of  sinners,  by  a  careless  or  unholy  walk  :  but  may 
my  light  so  shine  before  men,  that  they  may  see 
my  good  works,  and  glorify  thee.  May  I  walk  as 
the  children  of  light,  and  have  no  fellowship  with 
the  unfruitful  works  of  darkness  ;  but  rather  reprove 
them.  Enable  me  by  well-doing,  to  put  to  silence 
the  ignorance  of  foolish  men.  Make  me  blameless 
and  without  rebuke,  in  the  midst  of  a  crooked  and 
perverse  people ;  holding  forth  the  word  of  life, 
that  I  may  rejoice  in  the  day  of  Christ,  that  I  have 
not  laboured  in  vain.  Blessed  Lord,  grant  me,  for 
Christ's  sake,  a  name  and  a  place  among  thy  pecu- 
liar people,  whom  thou  hast  chosen  to  show  forth 
thy  praises.  Make  me  a  guide  to  the  blind,  alight 
to  them  that  walk  in  darkness,  and  a  living  epistle 
of  good  works,  known  and  read  of  all  men.  Enable 
me  to  hold  fast  the  profession  of  my  faith,  without 
wavering,  that  men  may  take  knowledge  of  me  that 
I  have  been  with  Jesus.  O  God,  restore  thy  salva- 
tion unto  me,  and  uphold  me  by  thy  free  Spirit ;  so 
8* 


90 

shall  I  teach  transgressors  thy  ways,  and  sinners 
shall  be  converted  unto  thee. 

Lord  remove  every  deformity  and  repair  every 
defect  in  my  character;  and  mould  my  temper  and 
conduct  according  to  the  image  of  the  Saviour  ;  who 
has  left  us  an  example,  that  we  should  follow  in  his 
steps.  Make  me  a  partaker  of  his  holiness,  that  I 
may  escape  the  corruption  that  is  in  the  world  ;  and 
that  when  he  shall  appear,  I  may  be  like  him,  and 
see  him  as  he  is. 

EXISTENCE      OF      GOD. 

Thou,  Jehovah,  art  the  only  living  and  true  God. 
My  reason  tells  me  that  thou  art — my  conscience 
warns  me  of  thy  being — thou  art  known  by  thy 
judgments,  and  art  proclaimed  by  thy  mercies. 
Wherever  I  go,  I  see  the  proofs  of  thine  existence  ; 
for  the  whole  universe  is  an  index,  referring  to  thee, 
as  over  all,  God,  blessed  for  ever.  Lord,  let  not 
my  heart  ever  say  with  the  fool,  "  There  is  no  God;" 
nor  my  conduct  show  that  I  have  forgotten  or  de- 
nied thee.  Grant  that  I  may  not  only  believe  that 
thou  art,  but  that  thou  art  the  re  warder  of  them  that 
diligently  seek  thee.  O  teach  me  out  of  the  book 
of  nature  and  the  volume  of  thy  word,  thy  being, 
and  character,  and  will ;  and  may  all  I  learn  of  thee, 
lead  me  to  worship  and  serve  thee  in  spirit  and  in 
truth. — [_See  ATHEISM.] 

FAITH. 

Lord,  increase  my  faith.  I  would  believe  :  help 
thou  mine  unbelief.  Give  me  unwavering  trust  in 
thee  as  infinite,  eternal,  and  unchangeable,  in  all 
thine  attributes.  Cause  me  to  repose  with  implicit 
confidence  in  thy  purposes  and  dispensations  to- 


01 

wards  thy  creatures.  Enable  me  to  confide  all  my 
interests,  for  time  and  eternity,  to  thy  keeping.  Be 
thou,  O  God,  the  strength  of  my  heart,  and  my 
portion  forever ! 

Let  me  not  stagger  at  thy  word  through  unbelief; 
for  without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  thee. 
May  I  trust  thee  in  all  thou  hast  spoken,  as  well  as 
in  all  thou  hast  done.  Let  me  not  hold  thy  truth 
in  unrighteousness  ;  but  do  thou  make  it  profitable 
to  me  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction,  and 
for  instruction  in  righteousness  ;  that  thereby  I  may 
be  thoroughly  furnished  unto  every  good  work. 
Teach  me  to  confide  in  its  precious  promises,  to 
heed  its  solemn  warnings,  to  follow  its  sacred  ex- 
amples, and  to  obey  its  holy  precepts. 

Lead  me,  blessed  God,  to  look  unto  Jesus,  the 
author  and  finisher  of  faith.  To  him  give  all  the 
prophets  witness,  that  through  him,  whosoever  be- 
lieveth  on  his  name,  shall  have  remission  of  sins  : 
while  he  that  believeth  not  shall  be  damned.  O 
may  he  be  my  Teacher,  my  Saviour,  and  my  Ruler  ; 
and  may  I  receive  and  rest  upon  him  alone  for  sal- 
vation, as  he  is  offered  in  the  gospel. 

Heavenly  Father,  excite  my  trust  in  thee  by  the 
examples  of  the  saints,  who  by  faith  wrought 
righteousness,  obtained  promises,  and  out  of  weak- 
ness were  made  strong.  Wherefore  seeing  that  I 
am  compassed  about  with  so  great  a  cloud  of  wit- 
nesses, may  I  also,  for  the  joy  set  before  me,  en- 
dure the  cross,  and  run  my  race  with  patience, 
striving  against  sin. 

Lord,  enable  me  to  exercise  faith  in  prayer.  Give 
me  an  abiding  conviction,  that  thou  art  the  rewarder 
of  all  that  diligently  seek  thee.  May  I  ask  of  thee 
the  things  that  are  according  to  thy  will,  trusting 


92 

that  I  shall  receive  them.  May  I  knock  at  the  door 
of  thy  mercy,  believing  that  thou  wilt  open  unfo  me. 
O  grant  me  access  with  confidence  to  the  throne  of 
thy  grace,  in  the  strength  of  Christ's  merits,  and 
of  that  intercession  which  he  ever  liveth  to  make 
for  those  that  come  unto  thee  by  him. 

Lord,  give  me  grace  to  show  my  faith  by  my 
works  ;  for  as  the  body  without  the  spirit  is  dead, 
so  faith  without  works  is  dead  also.  May  I  add  to 
it  virtue,  knowledge,  temperance,  patience,  godli- 
ness, brotherly-kindness,  and  charity.  May  it  so 
work  by  love,  that  I  may  realize  the  iniquity  and 
danger  of  those  who  are  strangers  to  thy  covenants 
of  promise,  and  have  the  energies  of  my  soul  and 
body  stirred  up,  to  pluck  them  as  brands  from  the 
burning. 

Heavenly  Father,  give  me  the  evidence  of  things 
not  seen,  and  the  substance  of  things  hoped  for. 
May  I  walk  by  faith,  and  not  by  sight ;  looking  not 
at  the  things  which  are  seen  and  temporal,  but  at 
those  that  are  not  seen,  and  are  eternal.  O  may  it 
please  thee  to  give  me  that  victory  which  over- 
cometh  the  world  ;  and  to  grant  that  in  all  the  trials 
of  life,  and  amid  the  struggles  of  death,  I  may  come 
off  more  than  conqueror,  through  him  who  is  the 
end  of  the  law  for  righteousness,  to  all  that  believe 
on  him  ! 

FALSEHOOD. 

Lord,  preserve  me  from  falsehood.  Teach  me 
that  it  degrades  character,  injures  peace  of  con- 
science, subverts  the  welfare  of  society,  and  incurs 
thy  hot  displeasure.  O  make  my  conscience  tender 
with  regard  to  every  violation  of  truth.  Let  me  not 
utter  falsehood  in  jest ;  for  thou  hast  said  that  for 


93 

every  idle  word  that  men  shall  speak,  they  shall 
give  account  in  the  day  of  judgment.  Let  me  not 
depart  from  truth,  for  the  love  of  gain ;  for  the 
wages  of  sin  is  death.  Let  me  not  practice  deceit, 
through  the  fear  or  favour  of  man ;  for  his  breath  is 
in  his  nostrils.  And,  O  Lord,  let  me  not  be  false, 
with  the  plea  of  doing  good ;  for  we  may  not  do 
evil  that  good  may  come.  Keep  me,  I  pray  thee, 
from  every  thing  which  is  prejudicial  to  truth,  or 
injurious  to  my  own  or  my  neighbour's  good  name. 
Suffer  me  not  to  think,  nor  act,  nor  speak  deceitfully 
in  any  thing. 

O  Lord,  make  me,  above  all,  sincere  towards 
thee.  Let  me  not  attempt  to  draw  nigh  to  thee  with 
a  lip-service,  while  my  heart  is  far  from  thee.  Thou 
searchest  the  heart,  and  triest  the  reins  :  thou  art 
not  deceived,  and  thou  canst  not  be  mocked.  May 
all  my  homage  before  thee,  spring  from  a  controlling 
desire  to  do  thy  will,  which  requires  truth  in  the 
inward  parts.  O  renew  my  spirit  in  the  likeness  of 
thy  Son  ;  who  did  no  sin,  neither  was  guile  found 
in  his  mouth. 

FAMILIES. 

Lord,  bless  all  the  households  of  the  earth.  Thou 
art  worthy  to  be  praised  for  the  institution  of  the 
family  relation,  in  which  thou  hast  blended  the 
sweet  influences  of  support  and  dependence,  pro- 
tection and  control,  love  and  obedience  ;  which  are 
essential  to  the  comfort  and  virtue  of  individual  be- 
ing, and  the  safety  and  purity  of  social  life.  Fulfil, 
I  pray  thee,  all  the  purposes  of  mercy  thou  hadst 
in  view,  in  the  establishment  of  the  domestic  con- 
stitution ;  and  do  thou  make  all  the  homes  of  earth 
households  of  piety. 


94 

Lord,  let  mutual  attachment,  counsel,  and  assist- 
ance, and  love  to  God,  be  the  bonds  of  union  be- 
tween every  husband  and  wife.  Give  to  parents  an 
adequate  sense  of  the  responsibility  thou  hast  laid 
on  them,  to  train  up  their  offspring  in  knowledge, 
industry,  and  virtue.  Cause  them  to  teach  thy  words 
diligently  to  their  children  ;  and  to  talk  of  thy  sta- 
tutes when  they  sit  in  their  house,  when  they  walk 
by  the  way,  when  they  lie  down,  and  when  they 
rise  up.  Show  them  that  the  rod  and  reproof  give 
wisdom  ;  but  a  child,  left  to  himself,  bringeth  shame. 
Make  them  wise  to  discern,  and  faithful  to  execute, 
those  measures,  which  will  secure,  with  thy  bless- 
ing, domestic  happiness  and  piety.  O  let  an  altar, 
for  daily  sacrifice,  be  raised  in  every  dwelling,  to 
consecrate  its  pleasures,  and  to  obtain  thy  favour. 

Heavenly  Father,  dispose  children  everywhere  to 
obey  their  parents,  in  the  Lord.  Let  them  not,  by 
unkindness  and  disobedience,  bring  shame  or  sor- 
row to  the  hearts  of  fathers  and  mothers  ;  nor  draw 
down  disgrace  or  misery  on  their  own  heads. 
Though  they  can  never  requite  the  care  and  labour 
that  have  been  bestowed  on  them  ;  yet  may  they  by 
reverent  affection  and  dutiful  service,  minister  to  the 
comfort  and  well-being  of  their  parents.  And  O 
do  thou  gladden  the  hearts  of  such,  by  bringing 
their  offspring  into  the  adoption  of  the  sons  of  God. 

Lord,  cause  the  relations  of  brothers  and  sisters 
to  be  distinguished  by  forbearance,  conciliation,  as- 
sistance, and  love  :  and  let  all  their  reciprocal  ties 
be  purified  and  cemented  by  the  friendship  of  him 
that  sticketh  closer  than  a  brother. 

O  do  thou  secure  for  those  that  are  servants, 
justice  and  kindness  from  their  superiors.  Teach 
them  the  duties  of  their  station  ;  and  incline  them  to 


95 

discharge  every  lawful  labour  with  cheerful  fidelity. 
Make  them  realize  thine  own  claims  on  their  obe- 
dience ;  and  incline  them  to  fulfil,  with  all  their 
strength,  the  service  of  their  heavenly  Master. 

Gracious  God,  make  the  domestic  circle  the  dwell- 
ingplace  of  every  thing  that  is  pure,  and  lovely, 
and  of  good  report.  Make  it  the  cradle  of  the 
household  of  faith,  and  the  nursery  of  the  brother- 
hood of  glory. 

FASTING. 

Assist  me,  O  Lord,  to  set  my  face  unto  thee,  to 
seek  by  prayer  and  supplication,  with  fasting.  Lead 
me  at  suitable  times,  to  deny  my  appetites,  out  of 
religious  principle,  and  with  a  view  to  spiritual  bene- 
fits on  myself  and  others.  Teach  me  that  thou  hast 
commanded  this  duty ;  that  thy  saints  in  all  ages 
have  fulfilled  it ;  and  that  in  doing  so,  they  have 
enjoyed  thy  favour.  Lord,  make  it  the  intelligent 
service  of  my  heart.  May  I  resort  to  it  as  a  means 
of  crucifying  the  flesh,  of  mortifying  the  deeds  of 
the  body,  and  of  bringing  my  worldly  desires  into 
subjection  to  the  immortal  interests  of  the  soul. 
Enable  me  to  offer  it  in  penitence  before  thee,  as 
the  expression  of  a  sense  of  my  sinfulness.  Do 
thou  make  its  every  exercise  conducive  to  the  health 
of  my  body,  and  the  clearness  and  vigour  of  my 
mind.  Grant  that  it  may  assist  me  to  forsake  sel- 
fishness and  iniquity,  and  to  serve  thee  with  a  pure- 
hearted  and  an  increasing  devotion. 

Lord  bless  the  appointed  fasts  of  thy  churches. 
May  these  solemn  seasons  be  accompanied  by  peni- 
tence for  transgression,  Abandonment  of  sin,  conse- 
cration to  thy  service,  and  revivals  of  pure  and 
undefined  religion,  which  shall  pervade  all  the  courts 


96 

of  Zion,  and  be  the  means  of  adding  to  her  many 
of  such  as  shall  be  saved. 

F  ATHE  RS. 

Heavenly  Parent,  let  the  hearts  of  the  fathers  be 
turned  to  the  children,  lest  thou  come  and  smite  the 
earth  with  a  curse.  Lord,  instruct  those  to  whom 
thou  hast  intrusted  the  paternal  relation,  in  all  the 
duties  which  are  incumbent  upon  them.  Teach 
them  that  their  primary  and  essential  qualification 
is  personal  piety,  of  an  elevated  and  controlling 
character.  Make  them  deeply  conscious  of  the  ne- 
cessity of  prayer,  in  enabling  them  to  realize  their 
responsibilities,  in  preparing  them  to  meet  their 
duties,  and  in  securing  thy  favour  on  their  efforts. 
Convince  them  of  the  unspeakable  importance  of 
continual  uprightness,  that  their  example  may  be 
pure  in  the  eyes,  and  influential  on  the  hearts,  of 
their  offspring.  Make  them  understand  the  value 
of  that  power  of  control,  which  having  wisely  as- 
certained, and  fixed  the  rules  of  obedience,  requires 
strict  compliance  with  them.  Let  them  seek  to 
gain  not  only  an  outward  submission  to  their  com- 
mands, but  to  bring  the  will  into  a  cheerful  and  ha- 
bitual obedience  to  their  authority.  Persuade  them 
that  though  folly  is  bound  up  in  the  heart  of  a  child, 
the  rod  of  correction  will  drive  it  far  from  him. 
May  the  spirit  of  prudent  love  be  the  governing 
impulse  in  all  their  paternal  dealings,  whether  of 
rewards  or  punishments  ;  and  let  neither  sinful  in- 
dulgence, nor  cruel  revenge,  dictate  the  measures 
of  their  government.  Cause  them  to  observe  a 
steady  uniformity  of  discipline,  which  shall  be 
known  to  all  the  household  as  the  law  of  the  family. 
Give  them  that  constant  watchfulness,  which  will 


97 

seek  to  avert  every  danger,  and  obtain  every  good. 
Make  them  anxiously  careful  respecting  the  asso- 
ciates of  their  children ;  for  he  that  walketh  with 
the  wise  shall  be  wise  ;  but  the  companion  of  fools 
shall  be  destroyed.  May  they  train  them  up  in  such 
employments  as  shall  suit  their  characters,  and  make 
them  useful  to  themselves  and  society.  Let  them 
labour  in  honesty,  to  make  competent  provision  for 
their  households.  Dispose  them  to  give  their  cordial 
co-operation  to  every  judicious  scheme  which  mo- 
thers, in  the  discharge  of  their  duties,  may  endeavour 
to  execute.  Let  the  intellectual  education  of  their 
youth  be  an  object  of  constant  solicitude  and  atten- 
tion. And,  Lord,  let  every  measure  of  their  con- 
duct be  auxiliary  to  the  desire  and  effort,  that  the 
souls  of  their  offspring  may  be  saved. 

O  God,  convince  fathers  that  character  is  formed 
in  the  earliest  stages  of  life — that  they  are  responsi- 
ble to  their  children,  to  their  country,  and  to  God,  for 
the  impress  that  is  given  to  the  juvenile  mind — and 
that  the  influences  they  set  in  motion,  will  go  down 
from  generation  to  generation,  and  have  no  limits, 
even  in  the  results  of  eternity  !  Lord,  who  is  suf- 
ficient for  these  things  ?  Thou  givest  power  to  the 
faint ;  and  to  them  that  have  no  might,  thou  in- 
creasest strength.  Lo,  their  sufficiency  is  of  God! 

FEAR. 

Lord,  grant  that  my  heart  may  always  be  influ- 
enced by  that  fear  of  thee,  which  is  the  beginning 
of  wisdom  ;  and  which  is  a  fountain  of  life  that  is 
clean,  enduring  forever.  Let  not  my  fear  of  thee 
be  the  dread  of  a  slave,  nor  the  terror  of  a  criminal ; 
but  the  awe  of  a  servant,  mingled  Math  the  confi- 
dence of  a  child.  May  it  lead  me  to  avoid  thy  dis- 
9 


98 

pleasure — to  desire  thy  favour — to  hate  evil — and 
to  do  thy  pleasure,  in  all  the  walks  of  life. 

Lord,  cause  the  dread  of  thy  judgments  to  rest 
on  the  wicked.  Make  them  feel  that  thy  presence 
is  continually  about  them,  and  that  thy  knowledge 
makes  record  of  all  their  transgressions.  May 
they  learn  thy  power  and  justice,  and  be  convinced 
that  these  attributes  are  pledged  to  destroy  the  finally 
impenitent.  Cause  them  to  kiss  the  Son,  lest  he  be 
angry,  and  they  perish  from  the  way,  when  his 
wrath  is  kindled  but  a  little.  Show  them  that  thy 
mercy  is  upon  all  that  fear  thee,  from  generation  to 
generation. 

Keep  me,  O  Lord,  from  the  fear  of  man  that 
bringeth  a  snare.  If  thou  art  for  me,  who  can  be 
against  me  ?  Who  is  he  that  will  harm  me,  if  T  am 
a  follower  of  that  which  is  good  ?  Grant  me  cou- 
rage to  speak  of  thy  testimonies  and  not  be  ashamed. 
Though  the  proud  have  me  in  derision,  let  me  not 
decline  from  thy  law.  Help  me  to  despise  the 
shame  of  a  gainsaying  world,  lest  the  Son  of  Man 
be  ashamed  of  me,  when  he  cometh  in  the  glory 
of  the  Father,  with  his  holy  angels. 

FELLOWSHIP. — See  Communion. 

FORBEARANCE. 

Vouchsafe  unto  me,  O  Lord,  that  spirit  which  is 
not  easily  provoked  ;  but  that  beareth  all  things,  and 
endureth  all  things  ;  that  suffereth  long,  and  is  still 
kind.  Fix  permanently  in  my  mind,  the  example 
of  Christ,  who  also  suffered  for  us,  that  we  should 
follow  in  his  steps.  And  thou  hast  said  that  when 
we  do  well,  and  suffer  for  it,  yet  take  it  patiently, 
this  is  acceptable  with  God.  Show  me  that  the  dis- 


99 

cretion  of  a  man  deferreth  his  anger,  and  it  is  his 
glory  to  pass  over  a  transgression.  May  I  consider 
my  own  proneness  to  trespass  upon  the  rights  of 
others,  lest  I  also  be  tempted,  and  need  the  forbear- 
ance of  my  fellows.  Let  me  recompense  to  no  man 
evil  for  evil;  nor  avenge  myself;  but  rather  give 
place  to  wrath :  for  vengeance  is  thine,  and  thou  wilt 
repay.  Dispose  me,  O  Lord,  to  love  my  enemies ; 
and  O  let  me  not  be  overcome  of  evil,  but  overcome 
evil  with  good. 

FORBEARANCE     OF     GOD. 

Heavenly  Father,  assist  me  to  contemplate  the 
riches  of  thy  forbearance  and  long-suffering.  I  am 
not  deserving  of  the  least  of  thy  mercies.  Hadst 
thou  been  strict  to  mark  mine  iniquities,  I  had  long 
ere  this  been  receiving  the  endless  retributions  of 
sin.  My  whole  life  has  been  a  witness  for  thee, 
that  thou  wilt  have  mercy,  and  not  sacrifice  :  and  I 
enjoy  now  the  privilege  of  approaching  thy  mercy- 
seat,  because  thy  mercy  rejoiceth  against  thy  judg- 
ment. O  I  am  not  worthy  to  come  into  thy  pre- 
sence, nor  to  lift  up  mine  eyes  to  the  place  where 
thine  honour  dwelleth.  Lord,  let  me  not  vex  thine 
enduring  goodness  by  continued  sin,  lest  thou  say 
in  thy  wrath,  "  Ephraim  is  joined  to  his  idols,  let 
him  alone."  Let  me  not  weary  thy  patience  with 
unfruitfulness  ;  lest  thou  pronounce  thy  judgment, 
44  Cut  him  down  :  why  cumbereth  he  the  ground  ?" 
Merciful  Father,  grant  that  thy  forbearance  may 
lead  me  to  the  humility  of  penitence,  and  the  obe- 
dience of  faith. 

Lord,  let  not  sinners  despise  nor  presume  on  the 
riches  of  thy  long-suffering.  Suffer  not  their  hearts 
to  be  set  in  them  to  do  evil,  because  sentence 


100 

against  an  evil  work  is  not  executed  speedily. 
Show  them  that  thou  givest  thy  mercy,  that  they 
may  have  space  for  repentance ;  or,  that  if  they 
turn  not  from  their  evil  ways,  thou  mayest  display 
thy  holy  justice  in  their  condemnation.  O  grant, 
Lord,  that  thy  patience  with  them  may  lead  them 
to  repent,  and  to  learn,  in  the  day  of  their  merciful 
visitation,  the  things  which  belong  to  their  peace. 

FOREKNOWLEDGE. 

God  of  Wisdom,  how  infinite  is  the  contrast  be- 
tween thine  omniscience  and  our  imperfect  know- 
ledge. We  know  not  what  a  day  may  bring  forth : 
but  thou  knowest  the  end  from  the  beginning. 
There  is  none  that  has  been  thy  counsellor  :  thine 
eye  alone  searches  the  secrets  of  futurity.  A  thou- 
sand years  are  with  thee  as  but  one  day ;  and  among 
the  infinite  series  of  events  that  lie  throughout  the 
eternity  to  come,  there  is  not  one,  of  which  thou 
dost  not  know  the  time  and  the  manner  of  its 
coming. 

Lord,  I  would  praise  thee  for  those  fruits  of  thy 
foreknowledge,  which  thou  hast  given  us  in  thy 
prophecies  and  promises.  I  thank  thee  that  thou 
hast  granted  us  these  testimonials  of  thy  wisdom 
and  love  to  confirm  our  faith  in  thy  word,  and  to 
strengthen  our  hope  in  thy  mercy.  O  grant  that 
the  foretellings  of  thy  knowledge,  which  are  regis- 
tered in  thy  word,  may  convince  the  infidel,  that 
the  Bible  is  everlasting  truth.  And  may  all  that 
love  thee,  thank  God,  and  take  courage  from  these 
seals  of  thy  testimonies. 

FORGIVENESS. 

Almighty  God,  do  thou  so  control  and  discipline 
my  heart,  that  I  shall  be  ever  ready  to  exercise  the 


101 

virtue  of  forgiveness.  Though  my  motives  and 
character  be  slandered,  and  my  property  and  person 
be  injured,  let  me  not  return  railing  for  railing,  nor 
injury  for  injury.  May  I  remember  thine  example 
of  long-suffering  and  great  mercy,  in  which  thou 
dost  not  avenge  thyself  of  thine  adversaries  ;  and 
art  not  willing  that  any  should  perish,  but  that  all 
should  come  to  repentance.  May  1  consider  how 
long  thou  didst  bear  with  my  own  disregard  of  thy 
rights,  and  disobedience  to  thy  law  ;  until  thou  didst 
at  last  move  me  to  repentance  and  faith,  and  didst 
crown  me,  as  I  trust,  with  undeserved  forgiveness 
of  my  sins. 

Lord,  make  me  realize  the  condition  of  that 
prayer,  "  Forgive  us  our  debts  as  we  forgive  our 
debtors."  O  let  me  not,  by  a  vindictive  spirit, 
seal  up  the  fountains  of  thy  pardon  ;  for  thou  hast 
said  that  if  we  do  not  forgive  men  their  trespasses, 
neither  will  our  Father  in  heaven  forgive  us  our 
trespasses. — Lord,  incline  me,  moreover,  to  a  mer- 
ciful spirit,  by  the  reflection  that  I  often  commit 
offences  against  the  rights  of  others.  May  I  there- 
fore do  unto  them  as  I  would  have  them  do  unto 
me. — Make  me  willing  to  seek  forgiveness  of  any 
whom  I  may  offend  or  injure.  Permit  not  false 
shame  nor  pride  to  keep  me  from  acknowledging 
my  errors  and  transgressions.  May  I  feel  that 
there  is  more  honour  in  confessing  and  repairing  a 
sin  against  my  neighbour,  than  in  covering  it  up, 
and  refusing  to  render  him  justice. — Lord,  dispose 
me  to  love  my  enemies,  to  bless  them  that  curse 
me,  and  to  do  good  to  them  that  hate  me.  Make 
me  willing,  under  every  injury,  to  pray — "  Lord, 
lay  not  this  sin  to  their  charge." — [See  PARDON.] 
9* 


102 

FRUGALITY. 

Make  me  frugal,  O  Lord,  in  my  habits  of  life. 
Let  me  not  be  anxious  as  to  what  I  shall  eat,  or 
drink,  or  wherewithal  I  shall  be  clothed  ;  nor  seek 
to  make  provision  for  the  flesh,  to  fulfil  the  lusts 
thereof.  Persuade  me  that  I  have  no  right  to  de- 
corate my  person,  my  family,  my  house,  or  my 
table,  with  unbecoming,  or  dishonest,  or  luxurious 
expenditure.  O  let  not  this  reproach,  so  common 
in  the  church,  rest  on  me,  that  I  spend  more  on  my 
selfishness,  than  the  amount  of  the  tithes  I  bring  into 
thy  storehouse.  Convince  me  that  an  immoderate 
use  of  thy  bounties  is  inconsistent  with  peace  of 
mind,  health  of  body,  and  enjoyment  of  thy  fa- 
vour. May  I  gather  up  my  fragments  of  time  and 
property,  and  employ  them  in  thy  service.  Lord, 
dispose  me  to  use  economy  and  prudence  in  my 
expenses,  that  I  may  thus  be  furnished  with  addi- 
tional means  of  supplying  the  wants  of  the  desti- 
tute, and  contributing  to  those  objects  of  benevolence, 
which  promote  the  welfare  of  man  and  display  thy 
glory. 

GAMING. 

Lord,  root  out  of  every  society  the  insidious  and 
destructive  vice  of  gaming.  Make  men  understand 
its  seductions,  iniquities,  and  dangers.  Teach  them 
that  a  sinful  love  of  money  is  the  spring  that  throws 
open  the  heart  to  its  lures  ;  and  that  while  it  pro- 
mises plenty  and  joy,  it  is  gently  drawing  its 
thoughtless  victims  into  the  magic  circles  of  its 
destroying  whirlpool.  Show  them  that  it  is  the 
destroyer  of  every  virtue,  and  the  patron  of  every 
transgression.  Reverence,  truth,  honesty,  peace, 
and  purity  sicken  and  perish  before  it :  while  pro- 


103 

fanity,  falsehood,  fraud,  contention,  and  lust,  spring 
up  and  flourish  in  its  pathway.  O  how  has  hope 
been  blasted,  abundance  impoverished,  character 
ruined,  and  souls  destroyed  by  this  legate  of  Satan. 
Nor,  alas,  have  the  victims  suffered  alone :  for 
they  have  dragged  down  with  them  into  penury 
and  sorrow,  those  that  were  bound  to  them  with 
ties,  which  their  fall  could  not  break. 

Merciful  God,  preserve  the  young  from  this  vice. 
Let  those  who  control  this  class  consider  whether 
what  seem  to  be  innocent  games  of  chance,  are  not 
laying  the  foundation,  in  their  pliant  minds,  for  that 
love  of  play  which  has  filled  with  countless  wrecks 
this  vortex  of  ruin.  Have  mercy  on  those  who  are 
floating  on  its  deceptive  currents.  Turn  them  back 
from  the  error  of  their  ways.  Let  him  that  stole, 
steal  no  more ;  but  rath€r  let  him  labour,  working 
with  his  hands  the  thing  which  is  good.  Make  the 
gamester  a  reproach  in  every  circle  of  decency : 
and  let  the  moral  and  good  shrink  from  his  fellow- 
ship as  from  the  contagion  of  death.  Do  thou  make 
honest  industry  honourable  everywhere :  and  per- 
suade him  who  is  tempted  to  forsake  it,  that  better 
is  the  poor  that  walketh  in  his  uprightness,  than  he 
that  is  perverse  in  his  ways,  though  he  be  rich. 

GENTLENESS. 

Heavenly  Father,  bestow  on  me  that  fruit  of  thy 
Spirit  which  is  gentleness.  Impress  on  my  mind, 
that  the  servant  of  the  Lord  must  not  strive,  but  be 
gentle  unto  all  men.  May  I  remember  him  who 
was  led  as  a  lamb  to  the  slaughter,  and  like  a  sheep 
dumb  before  his  shearer,  opened  not  his  mouth  : 
who  did  no  sin,  neither  was  guile  found  in  his 
mouth ;  who  when  he  suffered  threatened  not,  but 


104 

committed  himself  to  him  thatjudgeth  righteously — 
leaving  us  an  example,  that  we  should  follow  in  his 
steps.  Blessed  Jesus,  thou  pattern  of  meekness, 
preserve  my  temper  and  conduct  from  unkindness 
and  violence.  May  a  holy  calm  pervade  my  heart 
in  all  the  changes  and  trials  I  may  encounter — and 
manifest  itself  in  kindness  and  good-will,  in  all  the 
relations  of  life.  Ofill  my  heart  with  that  wisdom 
from  above,  which  is  gentle,  easy  to  be  entreated, 
and  full  of  mercy  and  good  fruits, 

GLORY    OF    GOD. 

Lord  God  Almighty,  thou  art  glorious  in  the  infi- 
nite excellencies  of  thy  character.  Thau  art  ever- 
lasting in  being,  almighty  in  power,  infinite  in  wis- 
dom, inflexible  in  justice,  eternal  in  truth,  spotless 
in  holiness,  and  boundless  in  mercy.  Great  and 
marvellous  are  thy  works,  just  and  true  are  thy 
ways,  thou  King  of  Saints.  Who  will  not  fear 
and  glorify  thy  name  ?  The  heavens  declare  thy 
glory,  and  the  firmament  exhibiteth  thy  handi- 
work :  day  unto  day  uttereth  speech  concerning 
thee,  and  night  unto  night  showeth  knowledge  of 
thee.  All  thy  works  praise  thee.  But  it  is  in  the 
person  and  work  of  our  blessed  Saviour,  that  thoa 
hast  chiefly  shown  the  perfection  of  thy  character, 
for  the  adoration  and  homage  of  thine  intelligent 
creation.  There  thou  didst  make  thy  richest  dis- 
play of  might  and  knowledge,  righteousness  and 
goodness.  O,  thou  art  worthy  to  be  held  in  ever- 
lasting honour,  that  he  who  was  the  brightness  of 
the  Father's  glory,  and  the  express  image  of  his 
person,  was  made  flesh,  and  dwelt  with  us,  being 
in  all  points  tempted  as  we  are ;  and  when  he  had 
filled  up  the  measure  of  his  reproach  and  perse*- 


105 

cution,  gave  himself  up  to  an  ignominious  death, 
that  we  might  have  redemption  through  his  blood, 
even  the  remission  of  sins ! 

Father  in  Heaven,  hallowed  be  thy  name.  O 
help  me  to  honour  thee  whenever  I  contemplate 
thy  works,  or  thy  word,  or  thy  providence.  Make 
me  willing  to  spend  my  substance,  my  reputation, 
my  time,  and  my  life  itself,  to  promote  the  honour 
of  thy  name.  May  I  praise  thee  in  my  thoughts, 
and  with  my  lips,  and  by  my  life :  and  whether  I 
eat  or  drink,  or  whatsoever  I  do,  may  I  do  all  to 
the  glory  of  God.  And  do  thou  shine  into  my 
heart  to  give  me  the  knowledge  of  thy  glory,  in 
the  face  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Lord,  let  all  thy  saints  bless  thee.  Instruct  them 
that  their  chief  end  is  to  glorify  thee.  Dispose 
them  to  show  forth  the  praises  of  him  who  hath 
called  them  out  of  darkness  into  his  marvellous 
light.  May  they  meditate  on  thy  greatness,  and 
talk  of  thy  wondrous  works,  and  honour  thy  will 
by  acts  of  holy  obedience.  Be  thou  admired  in  all 
that  believe  on  thee.  Make  them  the  blessed  in- 
struments of  leading  multitudes,  who  now  cast 
dishonour  on  thy  mercy,  to  witness  and  magnify 
the  riches  of  thy  grace. 

Father,  glorify  thy  name  in  turning  the  wicked 
from  the  error  of  their  ways  unto  the  wisdom  of 
the  just.  O  fulfil  in  all  their  power  and  efficacy 
the  messages  of  the  gospel,  which  are  glory  to 
God  in  the  highest ;  peace  on  earth,  and  good- will 
to  men. 

GOD, — See    Adoration,   Existence,    Omnipre- 
sence, 4*c. 


106 

GODLINESS. 

O  Lord,  vouchsafe  to  me,  through  the  merit  and 
intercession  of  Jesus,  that  godliness  which  is  pro- 
fitable unto  all  things,  having  the  promise  of  the 
life  that  now  is,  and  of  that  which  is  to  come. 
Lead  me  to  reverence  thy  name ;  for  thou  art  God, 
and  beside  thee  there  is  none  other.  Incline  me 
to  love  thy  character,  which  is  the  perfection  of 
excellency.  Learn  me  thy  testimonies,  which  are 
sure,  making  wise  the  simple.  Lead  me  to  sub- 
mit willingly  to  all  thy  dispensations  ;  for  they  are 
of  the  Lord ;  let  him  do  what  seemeth  good  in  his 
sight.  May  I  depend  on  thee  with  a  confiding 
heart,  for  every  blessing  ;  for  thou  hast  said  that  as 
my  day  is,  so  shall  my  strength  be.  Teach  me  to 
supplicate  thee  for  thy  mercies  ;  and  let  not  my 
prayer  be  as  a  lamp  that  has  neither  oil  nor  light. 
Excite  me,  O  Lord,  to  praise  thy  goodness  ;  for 
thou  art  merciful  and  gracious,  long-suffering  and 
abundant  in  goodness.  Build  thou  my  hopes  of 
thy  favour  on  the  precious  merits  of  Jesus,  besides 
whose  name  there  is  no  other  given  by  which  I 
may  be  saved.  And,  O  Lord,  assist  me  by  thy 
grace  to  obey  all  thy  law ;  for  not  every  one  that 
saith,  *'  Lord,  Lord,"  shall  enter  the  kingdom  of 
heaven,  but  he  that  doeth  the  will  of  our  Father  in 
heaven. 

Shepherd  of  Israel,  bless  the  fold  of  Christ. 
Let  none  who  have  the  form  of  godliness  deny 
the  power  thereof.  Give  thy  people  wisdom,  love, 
zeal,  and  influence.  Grant  them  that  piety  which 
is  wrought  in  the  heart  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and 
nurtured  by  communion  with  thee ;  which  is  fed 
daily  by  thy  precious  word,  and  made  healthy  and 


107 

vigorous   by  active    obedience    to    thy  command- 
ments. 

May  their  lives  be  hid  with  Christ  in  God,  so 
that  when  Christ,  who  is  their  life,  shall  appear, 
they  also  sftall  appear  with  him  in  glory. — And 
grant,  most  merciful  God,  that  all  men  may  learn 
that  mystery  of  godliness ;  God  manifest  in  the 
flesh,  justified  in  the  spirit,  seen  of  angels,  preach- 
ed unto  the  Gentiles,  believed  on  in  the  world,  re- 
ceived up  into  glory ! 

GOOD      WORKS. 

Blessed  God,  make  me  understand  the  imperfec- 
tion of  human  obedience.  There  is  not  a  just  man 
on  earth,  that  doeth  good,  and  sinneth  not.  Even 
when  I  most  fulfil  thy  will,  I  am  an  unprofitable 
servant.  Lord,  keep  me  from  thoughts  and  boast- 
ings of  merit :  for  it  is  not  by  works  of  righteous- 
ness, I  have  done,  that  I  shall  be  justified,  but  by 
thy  grace,  through  Jesus  Christ,  the  Saviour.  And 
yet,  O  Lord,  do  them  make  me  careful  to  maintain 
good  works  :  for  thou  requirest  me  to  work  that 
which  is  well  pleasing  in  thy  sight ;  and  thou  hast 
an  infinite  right  to  my  service,  as  my  Creator, 
Ruler,  and  Redeemer.  Create  me,  therefore,  in 
Christ  Jesus,  unto  good  works,  and  make  me  as 
the  branch  which  abideth  in  the  vine,  bearing  fruit. 
May  thy  word  be  in  my  heart ;  as  good  seed, 
which  springe th  up,  and  beareth  an  hundred  fold. 
May  I  do  thy  will  with  a  heart  of  love,  with  faith 
unfeigned,  and  with  desire  that  all  I  do  may  be  for 
thy  glory.  Grant  me  the  renewing  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  and  that  faith  which  works  by  love,  and  is 
accepted  by  thee,  in  Christ's  name,  for  righteous- 
ness. Teach  me,  0  Lord,  that  whatsoever  a  man 


108 

soweth  that  shall  he  also  reap.  If  he  sow  to  the 
flesh,  he  shall  of  the  flesh  reap  corruption :  but  if 
he  sow  to  the  Spirit,  he  shall  of  the  Spirit  reap  life 
everlasting.  I  pray  thee,  therefore,  let  me  not  be 
weary  in  well-doing" ;  for  in  due  season  I  shall 
reap,  if  I  faint  not. — [_8ee  DUTY  ANI>  USEFULNESS.] 

GOODNESS      OF      GOD. 

Bless  the  Lord,  O  rny  soul,  and  forget  not  all  his 
benefits  ;  for  God  is  love.  Thou  art  good,  O  Lord, 
in  giving,  preserving,  and  blessing  the  lives  of  thy 
creatures.  They  are  thine  offspring,  and  have 
their  being  in  thy  mercy.  The  eyes  of  all  are 
unto  thee,  and  thou  givest  them  their  meat  in  due 
season :  thou  openest  thy  hand,  and  satisfiest  the 
desires  of  every  living  thing.  Thou  crownest  the 
year  with  thy  goodness,  and  thy  paths  drop  fat- 
ness.— Thou  hast  shown  thy  mercy  in  thy  for- 
bearance ;  for  if  thou  didst  mark  iniquity,  who 
could  stand?  Yea,  thou  art  long-suffering,  and  art 
not  willing  that  any  should  perish,  but  that  all 
should  come  to  repentance. — But  thou  hast  ex- 
hibited thy  goodness,  above  all,  in  the  gift  of  thy 
Son.  Thou  didst  so  love  the  world,  as  to  give 
him,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  should  not 
perish,  but  have  everlasting  life  :  and  thou  didst 
commend  thy  love  to  us,  in  that  while  we  were 
sinners,  Christ  died  for  us.  Though  we  had  turned 
every  one  to  his  own  way,  the  Lord  laid  on  him 
the  iniquity  of  us  all. — Blessed  God,  thou  art 
merciful  in  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  which 
are  able  to  make  us  wise  unto  salvation — and  in  the 
bestowment  of  that  Comforter,  whose  ministrations 
are  life,  because  of  righteousness. — Even  our  afflic- 
tions have  been  blessings  in  disguise :  for  thou  hast 


109 

chastened  us  for  our  profit,  that  \ve  might  be  par- 
takers of  thy  holiness  :  and  though  thy  chastenings 
seemed  not  to  be  joyous,  but  grievous,  yet  after- 
wards they  worked  the  peaceable  fruits  of  right- 
eousness.— Lo !  thou  hast  made  even  the  sins  of 
thy  creatures  to  work  together  for  good :  thou  hast 
made  the  wrath  of  man  to  praise  thee :  and  where 
sin  hath  abounded,  grace  doth  much  more  abound. 
— Whoso  is  wise,  and  will  observe  these  things, 
even  he  shall  understand  the  loving-kindness  of  the 
Lord ! 

Heavenly  Father,  make  me  feel  that  I  am  not 
worthy  of  the  least  of  thy  mercies,  and  that  I  have 
deserved  thy  wrath  instead  of  thy  kindness.  Bind 
me,  I  beseech  thee,  to  thee  and  thy  cause,  by  a 
strong  and  an  abiding  gratitude.  Permit  me  not  to 
forget  nor  abuse  thy  mercies.  Let  them  not  rise  up 
in  judgment  against  me,  either  in  this  world,  or  in 
that  which  is  to  come.  Do  thou  lead  me,  O  Lord,  to 
imitate  thy  goodness,  by  labours  of  love,  and  by  seek- 
ing occasions  to  do  good,  in  all  the  relations  of  life. 

Lord,  draw  all  men  unto  thee  by  the  cords  of  thy 
love.  May  thy  kindness  lead  them  to  repentance, 
and  to  devotion  to  thy  cause.  O  that  men  would 
praise  the  Lord  for  his  goodness,  and  for  his  won- 
derful works  to  the  children  of  men.  His  goodness 
eudureth  continually,  and  his  mercy  is  everlasting. 
Lord  let  thine  abundant  grace,  through  the  thanks- 
giving of  many,  redound  to  thy  glory.  Amen. 

GOSPEL. 

Gracious  Jehovah,  assist  me  to  understand,  and 

love,  and  obey  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 

Jesus  Christ.     I  would  magnify  the  riches  of  thy 

mercy,  which  devised   these  glad  tidinsrs  of  great 

10 


110 

joy  for  all  people.  I  would  praise  thee  that  thon 
ilidst  send  it  in  due  time,  in  all  its  fulness  of  grace 
and  truth,  life  and  immortality.  It  was  not  because 
we  deserved  thy  favour,  or  sought  thy  mercy  ;  but 
because  thou  didst  pity  our  lost  condition,  and  didst 
enter  into  a  covenant  of  grace,  to  bring  us  out  of  an 
estate  of  sin  and  misery,  into  an  estate  of  salvation, 
by  a  Redeemer.  Lord,  I  would  praise  thee  that 
this  word  is  offered  without  money  and  without 
price  ;  and  that  whosoever  will,  may  take  of  the 
waters  of  life  freely.  Thou  hast  made  the  plan  of 
redemption  commensurate  with  the  wants  and  sins 
of  our  ruined  race,  and  with  the  claims  of  thy  holy 
and  inflexible  justice.  I  bless  thy  name  that  it  has 
brought  light  for  the  benighted  ;  joy  for  the  mourner; 
liberty  for  the  captive  ;  rest  for  the  heavy-laden  ; 
plenty  for  the  destitute  :  pardon  for  the  condemned  ; 
purity  for  the  unholy ;  life  for  the  dead  ;  and  the  hope 
of  salvation  for  the  heirs  of  perdition ! 

Lord,  help  me  to  lay  hold  upon  the  hope  set  be- 
fore me  in  the  gospel.  May  I  receive  it  as  the  only 
savour  of  life  unto  life.  Let  me  not  be  ashamed  of 
the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ;  but  may  I  glory  in  it, 
as  the  power  of  God,  unto  salvation,  to  every  one 
that  believeth.  May  it  teach  me  to  deny  ungodli- 
ness, and  to  live  righteously  in  thy  sight.  Make  it 
the  instrument  of  building  me  up  in  saving  know- 
ledge, holy  love,  and  willing  obedience,  to  the  praise 
of  Jesus  Christ. 

O  God,  make  the  impenitent  feel  that  they  can- 
not escape  thy  wrath,  if  they  neglect  this  great  sal- 
vation. May  it  bring  them,  from  being  strangers 
and  foreigners,  to  be  fellow-citizens  of  the  house- 
hold of  faith.  May  it  turn  their  carnal  minds  from 
their  enmity  unto  peace  with  God,  and  release  them, 


Ill 

being  justified  by  failh,  from  that  wrath  of  God 
which  now  abideth  on  them.  Blessed  Saviour,  call 
them  from  darkness  into  marvellous  light :  free  them 
from  the  bondage  of  sin,  and  cause  the*m  to  stand 
fast  in  the  liberty  wherewith  thou  makest  thy  ser- 
vants free. 

Lord,  may  the  kingdom  of  thy  gospel  come,  and 
thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  in  heaven.  Multiply 
the  number  of  those  who  shall  run  to  and  fro,  in 
creasing  knowledge.  Make  the  reading,  but  espe- 
cially the  preaching  of  thy  word,  an  effectual  means 
of  convincing  and  converting  sinners. — Strengthen 
the  minds,  and  sanctify  the  wills,  and  increase  the 
zeal  of  thy  people.  Send  the  rod  of  thy  strength 
out  of  Zion,  and  make  thy  people  willing  in  the  day 
of  thy  power  :  and  may  converts  be  multiplied  to 
them  as  drops  of  dew  in  the  morning.  O  God,  re- 
deem thy  promise,  that  at  the  name  of  Jesus  every 
knee  shall  bow,  and  every  tongue  confess  that  he  is 
Lord,  to  the  praise  of  God,  the  Father. 

GOVERNMENT. 

King  of  Kings  and  Lord  of  Lords,  dispose  me  to 
pray  for  all  that  are  in  authority,  that  we  may  lead 
a  quiet  and  peaceable  life,  in  all  honesty  and  godli- 
ness. May  I  remember  that  the  powers  that  be  are 
ordained  of  God,  and  that  by  thee  kings  reign  and 
princes  decree  justice.  Make  me  grateful  to  thee 
that  thou  hast  put  the  restraints  of  law  upon  man- 
kind. O  do  thou  make  every  rule  of  administra- 
tion throughout  the  world,  conform  to  thy  benevo- 
lent will.  Make  those  that  bear  the  sword  a  terror 
to  evil-doers,  and  a  praise  to  them  that  do  well. 
Make  our  officers  peace,  and  our  exactors  righteous- 
ness. Let  our  lawgivers  be  men  that  fear  God  and 


112 

hate  covetousness.  Though  thou  canst  make  the 
wrath  of  tyrants  to  praise  thee  ;  yet  do  thou  so  order 
the  means  and  ohjects  of  human  government,  that 
thy  glory  may  be  advanced  by  the  holiness  and  hap- 
piness of  rulers  and  people. 

Lord,  I  thank  thee  for  that  form  of  government 
which  has  been,  under  thy  hand,  a  protection  and 
blessing-  to  this  nation.  Reform  its  evils,  and  spread 
its  blessings,  until  every  country  shall  rejoice  in  the 
sovereignty  of  useful  and  just  laws.  But,  O  Lord, 
may  we  not  forget  that  it  is  righteousness  which 
exalteth  a  nation ;  while  sin  is  a  reproach  to  any 
people.  Deal  not  with  us  according  to  our  trans- 
gressions. Say  not  in  thy  wrath,  that  thy  kingdom 
shall  be  taken  from  us,  and  given  to  a  nation  bring- 
ing forth  the  fruits  thereof.  Make  this  land  Imma- 
nuel's  land,  where  peace  will  have  her  dwelling, 
liberty  her  home,  and  piety  her  abode  ;  until  this 
world,  and  all  the  works  therein,  shall  be  burned  up, 
and  there  be  new  heavens  and  a  new  earth,  wherein 
dwelleth  righteousness! — [_See  COUNTRY.] 

GRACE. 

Lord,  enable  me,  through  the  adorable  Redeemer, 
to  know,  and  value,  and  possess  the  exceeding  riehes 
of  thy  grace.  It  is  rich  in  its  source  ;  for  it  is  the 
fulness  of  him  that  filleth  all  in  all.  It  is  rich  in 
its  abundance ;  since  it  is  given  to  us  for  help  in 
every  time  of  need.  And,  O,  it  is  rich  in  its  un- 
speakable blessings  ;  for  it  brings  the  forgiveness 
of  sins — gives  us  the  washing  of  regeneration — 
unites  us  to  Christ  by  a  living  faith — justifies  us  by 
his  merits — bestows  on  us  the  witness  of  the  Spirit 
— gives  us  the  victory  over  the  world  and  the  grave 
—makes  us  heirs  of  God,  and  joint  heirs  with 


113 

Christ,  in  the  enjoyments  of  heaven  forever.  Show 
me,  O  Lord,  that  Jesus  is  the  mediator  of  this  bless- 
ing :  it  is  he  that  maketh  peace  through  the  blood 
of  his  cross  :  he  giveth  repentance  and  remission 
of  sins  :  and  he  seals  the  redeemed  soul,  by  the 
Spirit,  through  sanctification,  unto  eternal  life. — 
Lord,  thou  couldst  have  glorified  thyself  in  the  de- 
struction of  thy  rebel  creatures ;  but  thou  hast 
chosen,  in  thy  niercy,  to  win  them  back  to  thee 
by  love,  that  thou  mightest  glorify  thyself  in  their 
newness  of  life  on  earth,  and  their  eternal  bliss  in 
heaven. 

Merciful  God,  enable  me,  by  thy  blessing,  to  grow 
in  grace.  May  I  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteous- 
ness, and  desire  the  sincere  milk  of  the  word,  that 
I  may  grow  thereby.  May  I  seek  to  give  strength 
to  every  godly  principle  within  me,  by  habitual  in- 
dustry in  thy  service ;  by  exercising  myself  unto 
godliness,  and  always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the 
Lord.  Be  pleased  to  order  thy  dispensations, 
whether  of  prosperity  or  adversity,  so  that  they  may 
promote  my  spiritual  good.  Build  me  on  the  founda- 
tion of  the  apostles  and  prophets,  Jesus  Christ  be- 
ing the  chief  corner-stone.  May  I  in  all  things  by 
prayer  and  supplication,  make  known  my  requests 
unto  thee.  And,  O,  grant  me  thy  Holy  Spirit,  to 
sanctify  my  affections,  and  to  assist  me  in  giving 
all  diligence  to  make  my  calling  and  election  sure. 

Heavenly  Father,  transform  me  by  the  renewing 
of  my  mind,  that  I  may  know  what  is  thy  good, 
and  perfect,  and  acceptable  will.  Animate  my  heart 
with  supreme  love  to  God,  and  impartial  love  to 
man.  Give  me  an  increasing  purity  of  motive, 
strength  of  principle,  abasement  of  self,  and  loath- 
ing of  sin.  Turn  me  from  every  wrong  pursuit, 
10* 


114 

and  lead  me  into  every  right  way.  Let  me  not  love 
the  world,  nor  the  things  that  are  in  the  world.  May 
I  cherish  the  fellowship  of  thy  saints  ;  and  seek 
the  welfare  of  thy  kingdom,  by  gifts,  by  labour, 
and  by  supplication.  Blessed  Lord,  make  me  holy, 
harmless,  undefiled,  and  separate  from  sinners. 
Enable  me  to  go  from  strength  to  strength  ;  and  do 
thou  change  me  from  glory  to  glory. 

Shepherd  of  Israel,  cause  thy  grace  to  dwell 
richly  in  the  hearts  of  all  thy  people.  May  they 
watch  unto  prayer  against  angery  pride,  and  covet- 
ousness ;  against  ambition,  censoriousness,  and 
impurity.  May  they  look  diligently,  lest  any  fail 
of  the  grace  of  God  ;  lest  any  root  of  bitterness 
springing  up,  trouble  them,  and  thereby  many  be 
defiled.  Make  their  Christian  character  as  the  light 
of  heaven,  which  shineth  more  and  more,  unto  the 
perfect  day. 

Lord,  exert  the  power  of  thy  grace  on  the  hearts 
of  the  impenitent.  Convince  them  of  their  guilt 
and  danger  ;  persuade  them  to  accept  of  thy  mercy 
in  Jesus ;  renew  their  wills  and  sanctify  their  feel- 
ings ;  lead  them  to  pant  after  thee,  as  the  hart  pant- 
eth  after  the  water-brooks,  and  to  run  willingly  in  all 
the  ways  of  thy  commandments.  O  grant  that 
where  sin  hath  abounded,  grace  may  much  more 
abound.  And  to  God,  only  wise,  be  glory,  through 
Jesus  Christ,  forever. 

GRATITUDE. 

Lord  Jehovah,  thou  art  good,  and  lovest  to  do 
good.  Thou  art  the  giver  of  every  good  and  perfect 
gift.  My  whole  life  has  been  a  record  of  thy  mercy. 
Thou  hast  given  me  the  blessings  of  health  and 
peace,  food  and  clothing,  home  and  friends,  pro  tec- 


115 

tion  and  happiness.  Yet  all  these  are  but  as  the 
small  dust  of  the  balance,  compared  with  thy  mercy 
in  Christ  Jesus.  Though  the  creatures  thou  hadst 
made,  to  be  the  subjects  of  thy  bounty,  had  all  re- 
belled against  thy  law,  thou  didst  so  love  them,  as 
to  give  thy  Son  for  them,  to  bring  them  back,  with 
an  everlasting  redemption.  And  because  they  still, 
notwithstanding  this  matchless  offer  of  compassion, 
would  not  come  unto  thee,  that  they  might  have  life, 
thou  hast  given  them  the  influences  of  thy  Holy 
Spirit,  to  persuade  them  to  accept  of  mercy.  And 
to  as  many  as  thou  hast  given  power  to  become  the 
sons  of  God,  thou  hast  vouchsafed  such  measures 
of  thy  grace,  that  they  shall  be  able  to  persevere  in 
obedience,  through  faith,  unto  complete  salvation. 
O  Lord,  cause  my  gratitude  to  bear  some  propor- 
tion to  thy  goodness.  Let  me  not  forget  thy  bene- 
fits, nor  think  that  my  own  hand  has  wrought  any 
of  them.  Incline  me  to  look  back  often,  with  min- 
gled feelings  of  wonder  and  love,  on  the  way  in 
which  thou  hast  led  me  by  thy  providence  and  grace. 
Show  me  the  enormity  of  my  sinfulness,  which  has 
made  me  blind  to  thy  love,  forgetful  of  thy  favour, 
and  thankless  for  thy  mercy  :  and  grant  me  deeper 
impressions  of  that  benevolence,  which  though  thus 
abused,  has  still  waited  to  be  gracious.  Give  me 
such  views  of  thy  loving-kindness,  and  of  my  own 
utter  unworthiness,  as  shall  lead  me  to  magnify  con- 
tinually the  richness  of  thy  goodness.  Induce  me 
to  love  thee  because  thou  hast  first  loved  me.  Make 
my  enjoyment  of  thy  mercies  a  motive  to  obedience. 
Especially  may  the  love  of  Christ  constrain  me  to 
do  thy  will.  O  may  I  desire  to  show  my  sense  of 
obligation  to  thee,  by  always  seeking  to  do  what  is 
well-pleasing  in  thy  sight. 


116 

Great  God,  cause  thine  unnumbered  mercies  to- 
wards guilty  men,  to  melt  the  hardness  of  their 
hearts,  to  subdue  their  rebellious  wills,  and  to  lead 
them,  by  the  allurements  of  thy  love,  to  a  godly 
sorrow  for  sin,  a  cordial  faith  in  the  atonement,  and 
a  grateful  devotion  to  thy  cause.  Make  the  multi- 
tudes who  are  children  of  disobedience,  the  sons 
of  adoption,  to  the  praise  of  the  fulness  of  thy 
grace. 

O  Lord,  permit  me  not  to  be  ungrateful  to  my 
fellow-creatures.  Thou  hast  been  pleased  so  to 
constitute  our  social  relations,  that  each  is  depend- 
ent on  others  for  kindness  and  favour.  Thou  hast 
made  many  of  them  the  almoners  of  thy  bounty  to 
me.  Make  my  heart  sensible  to  every  benefit  I  re- 
ceive from  them  :  and  while  my  affections  abound 
towards  those  who  do  me  good,  lead  me,  O  Lord, 
to  do  good  to  all  men. — Promote,  I  beseech  thee, 
the  prevalence  of  acts  of  good- will  among  all  thy 
creatures  ;  until  envy,  ingratitude,  and  hatred  shall 
be  banished  from  the  world,  and  all  men  abound  in 
love  to  God,  and  to  each  other. 

GRAVE. 

Great  God,  teach  me  that  I  am  dust,  and  must 
return  to  dust.  May  I  often  and  habitually  look 
forward  to  the  grave,  that  narrow  house  appointed 
for  all  the  living.  Lead  me  to  regard  it  as  the  monu- 
ment of  human  guilt ;  for  if  there  had  been  no  sin, 
there  had  been  no  grave  ;  the  wages  of  sin  is  death. 
O  may  every  mound  that  marks  the  last  dwelling- 
place  of  a  human  being,  be  a  witness  that  sin  has 
entered  into  the  world,  and  death  by  sin.  May  I 
learn  from  it,  the  vanity  of  earthly  good — we  bring 
nothing  into  the  world,  and  we  can  carry  nothing 


117 

out — we  must  say  to  corruption,  "  Thou  art  my 
father ;"  and  to  the  worm,  "  Thou  art  my  mother 
and  my  sister."  Lord,  this  wide  world  is  one  vast 
burial-place ;  and  we  plant  our  feet  daily  on  some 
spot  that  has  been  the  charnel-house  of  mortality. 
Alas,  death  dwells  everywhere,  but  in  the  giddy 
thoughts  of  men ! 

But  I  thank  thee,  O  Lord,  that  amid  all  its  gloom, 
the  grave  has  its  consolations.  Jesus,  our  Saviour, 
has  been  there,  and  has  sanctified  the  tomb  as  the 
restingplace  of  his  people's  dust.  There  the  weary 
are  at  rest.  Though  the  body  shall  turn  to  dust, 
the  spirit  will  return  to  God  who  gave  it :  and  while 
thy  saints  are  absent  from  the  body,  they  are  pre- 
sent with  the  Lord.  Nor  shall  our  sleep  be  eternal : 
the  earth  shall  cast  out  her  dead — this  mortal  shall 
put  on  immortality,  and  that  which  was  sown  in  dis- 
honour, shall  be  raised  in  glory. — Lord,  grant  that 
when  the  dead  shall  come  forth  at  thy  voice,  mine 
may  be  the  resurrection  of  life ;  that  so  I  may  be 
openly  acknowledged  and  acquitted  in  the  day  of 
judgment,  and  be  made  perfectly  blessed  in  the  full 
enjoyment  of  God  to  all  eternity. 

Heavenly  Father,  grant,  for  Christ's  sake,  that 
every  tomb  may  be  a  convincing  and  persuading 
preacher  to  the  impenitent.  May  they  learn  and 
act  upon  the  truth,  that  it  is  appointed  unto  all  men 
once  to  die.  Behold  thou  hast  made  their  days  as 
a  hand-breadth,  and  their  age  is  as  nothing  before 
thee.  Show  them  that  after  death  cometh  the  judg- 
ment, when  they  who  have  done  evil,  shall  come 
forth  to  the  resurrection  of  damnation.  O  may 
many  now  lay  to  heart  the  things  that  belong  to  their 
eternal  peace  :  and  then,  when  Christ  shall  appear, 


118 

they  also  shall  appear  with  him,  who  is  the  resur- 
rection and  the  life,  blessed  forever. 


Compassionate  Jehovah,  thou  knowest  all  the 
sources  of  my  griefs — the  afflictions  of  my  body — 
the  weakness  and  ignorance  of  my  mind — the  loss 
of  cherished  objects — and  the  miseries  of  my  sin- 
fulness.  When  I  look  back  upon  my  past  life,  how 
do  slighted  mercy,  neglected  grace,  and  sinful  re- 
bellion rise  up  to  confound  me  with  sorrow.  When 
I  look  within  me,  and  examine  my  present  state,  I 
find  that  when  I  would  delight  in  the  law  of  the 
Lord,  after  the  inward  man,  there  is  a  law  in  my 
members  warring  against  the  law  of  my  mind,  and 
bringing  me  into  captivity  to  the  law  of  sin  ;  so  that 
I  am  constrained  to  say,  "  O  wretched  man  that  I 
am  ;  who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this 
death?" — When  my  thoughts  go  forth  into  the  un- 
known future,  I  have  reason  to  pass  the  time  of  my 
sojourning  here  in  fear,  lest,  being  led  away  by  the 
corruption  of  my  heart,  the  error  of  the  wicked, 
and  the  deceit  of  Satan,  I  may  fall  from  my  stead- 
fastness.— When  I  look  around  me,  I  find  sources 
of  grief  everywhere  ;  for  the  ways  of  Zion  mourn, 
and  my  heart  is  faint  within  me  :  I  behold  the  trans- 
gressors, and  am  grieved:  rivers  of  waters  should 
run  down  mine  eyes,  because  men  keep  not  thy 
law. — O  God,  it  behooves  me  also  to  mourn  when 
thou  dost,  for  any  reason,  hide  thy  face  from  me — 
when  the  heavens  above  me  are  as  brass,  and  my 
trembling  heart  would  surmise  that  even  God  had 
forgotten  to  be  gracious,  r 

But,  O  Lord,  thou  knowest  all  my  griefs  ;  and 
thou  canst  sanctify  them  to  me.  I  pray  thee,  soothe 


119 

and  bless  my  sorrows.  Recompense  me  in  all  of 
them,  by  the  light  of  thy  countenance.  Give  me 
the  blessedness  of  them  that  mourn  with  a  godly 
sorrow  ;  for  they  shall  be  comforted.  Restore  unto 
me  the  joys  of  thy  salvation,  and  uphold  me  by  thy 
free  Spirit.  Let  not  my  soul  be  cast  down,  nor  grow 
weary  of  life,  nor  rebel  against  thy  will.  Make  me 
to  hear  joy  and  gladness,  that  the  bones  which  thou 
hast  broken  may  rejoice.  When  thou  hast  wrought 
the  purposes  of  thy  sovereignty,  O  give  me  beauty 
for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  and  the  gar- 
ments of  praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness. 

HAPPINESS. 

Blessed  God,  I  thank  thee  for  that  impulse  of  my 
nature,  by  which  I  am  led  to  pursue  happiness. 
Without  its  refreshing  influence,  life  would  be  but 
a  barren  desert.  Yet,  O  how  has  my  evil  heart  cor- 
rupted this  law  of  thy  benevolence.  Whilst  thou 
hast  given  me  faculties  and  aspirings  for  communion 
with  God,  and  heaven,  and  holiness,  I  have  sought 
my  joys  in  sense,  and  earth,  and  sin.  Lord,  help 
me  to  overcome  this  corruption  of  my  nature.  May 
I  make  my  happiness  subordinate  to  thy  glory,  and 
in  unison  with  my  duty.  Dispose  me,  I  pray  thee, 
to  use  the  lawful  pleasures  of  life  temperately,  and 
with  submission  to  thy  will.  Let  not  my  soul  find 
its  portion  in  this  world's  pleasures,  honours,  or 
riches.  Lead  me  to  seek  first  the  kingdom  of  right- 
eousness, and  all  that  I  need  for  my  comfort  shall 
be  added  to  it.  Give  me  the  blessedness  of  the  poor 
in  spirit  and  the  mourners  for  sin  ;  of  the  meek  and 
those  that  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness  ;  of 
the  merciful  and  the  pure  in  heart ;  of  the  peace- 
makers, and  those  who  are  reviled  and  persecuted 


120 

for  Christ's  sake.  May  I  seek  thy  favour,  as  the 
source  and  life  of  every  joy.  Comfort  me,  I  pray 
thee,  with  a  sense  of  thy  forgiving  mercy  in  Jesus  ; 
and,  O  be  thou  in  him  my  reconciled  God  and  Fa- 
ther. Vouchsafe  unto  me  the  joys  of  holy  commu- 
nion with  the  triune  God,  and  of  faitli  in  thy  charac- 
ter, word,  and  providence.  Grant  me  the  delights 
of  thy  rich,  distinguishing,  and  unmerited  grace ; 
and  of  an  humble  but  blessed  instrumentality  in 
doing  good. 

Teach  me,  O  Lord,  that  it  is  not  the  lot  of  even 
the  best  of  the  righteous,  to  enjoy  undisturbed  bliss 
in  this  vale  of  tears.  The  deceptions  of  sin  within 
and  without,  the  malice  of  the  wicked,  and  the  as- 
saults of  Satan,  often  bring  anguish  on  the  hearts  of 
thy  people.  Incline  me,  therefore,  to  look  at  those 
things  which  are  unseen  and  eternal,  and  to  lay  up 
treasures  where  there  is  no  sin  nor  sorrow,  but  ful- 
ness of  joy  and  pleasures  for  evermore. 

Lord,  lead  those  who  are  seeking  their  happiness 
in  the  perishing  and  corrupting  pleasures  of  the 
world,  to  feel  their  folly  and  guilt.  Show  them 
the  excellency  and  stability  of  the  joys  of  thy  service 
and  salvation  ;  and  enable  them  by  thy  grace  in 
Christ,  to  make  thee  the  strength  of  their  hearts,  and 
their  portion  forever.  Happy  are  the  people  whose 
God  is  the  Lord  ! 

HEALTH. 

I  thank  thee,  O  Lord,  for  the  comfortable  degree 
of  health  I  have  been  permitted  to  enjoy.  I  bless 
thee  that  thou  hast  healed  my  sicknesses,  and  that 
thou  hast  made  their  seasons  short  and  few,  com- 
pared with  those  in  which  I  have  been  free  from 
disease  and  pain.  Lord,  grant  me  the  healthful 


121 

exercise  of  all  the  powers  of  my  mind  and  body. 
Lead  me  to  know  and  follow  those  physical  and 
moral  laws  within  and  around  me,  disobedience  to 
which,  will  disorder  this  structure  which  thou  hast 
so  fearfully  and  wonderfully  made  ;  but  which,  if 
obeyed,  will  tend  to  promote  my  personal  comfort 
and  soundness.  May  I  make  the  pursuit  of  health, 
the  means  of  enabling  me  to  grow  in  grace,  to  do 
good,  and  to  advance  the  glory  of  God. 

Blessed  Lord,  be  thou  the  Physician  of  my  soul. 
— Heal  my  heart  when  it  is  broken  with  sorrow  ; 
bind  up  my  conscience  when  it  is  wounded  by  trans- 
gression. Cleanse  my  mind  from  error,  and  my 
spirit  from  sin ;  and  do  thou  bring  over  my  soul 
the  renovating  and  strengthening  joys  of  thy  saving 
health. 

HEART. 

O  God,  assist  me  to  keep  my  heart  with  all  dili- 
gence ;  for  out  of  it  are  the  issues  of  life.  May  I 
remember  that  it  is  by  nature  deceitful  above  all 
things,  and  desperately  wicked ;  and  that  none  but 
God  can  bring  a  clean  thing  out  of  this  unclean. 
O  how  would  I  blush  to  let  my  most  familiar  friend 
look  into  its  hidden  chambers.  Dispose  me,  I  pray 
thee,  to  watch  over  it,  lest  I  fall  into  temptation; 
to  be  humble  and  mournful  for  its  hardness  and 
sinfulness  ;  and  to  seek  earnestly  for  grace  to  cleanse 
me  from  its  secret  faults  and  presumptuous  sins. 
May  I  ever  feel,  O  Lord,  that  thou  searchest  the 
heart,  and  knowest  it  altogether.  Help  me,  I  be- 
seech thee,  to  make  thee  the  object  of  its  sincere, 
unchanging,  and  unreserved  love. 

Great  and  Merciful  God,  guide  and  govern  my 
affections,  so  that  they  shall  promote  thy  glory, 
11 


122 

show  forth  the  beauty  of  holiness,  and  impart  to 
me  peace  of  conscience,  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost, 
fulness  of  grace,  and  steadfastness,  through  faith, 
unto  complete  redemption.  O  do  thou  give  strength 
to  my  heart  in  all  the  exigencies  of  life — in  the  days 
of  prosperity  and  the  hours  of  affliction — in  Zion's 
troubles  andjoys — in  rejoicing  and  sorrow — in  duty 
and  temptation — in  doubts  and  fears — in  sickness 
and  death.  Give  me  an  inward  propensity  to  holi- 
ness. Help  me  to  keep  the  avenues  of  my  soul — 
my  eye,  that  it  may  not  lust  after  evil — my  ear, 
that  it  may  be  open  to  God,  and  shut  to  sin — and 
my  thoughts,  that  they  may  not  be  vain  and  unholy. 
Lord,  dispose  me  to  watch  unto  prayer  ;  to  ponder 
the  path  of  my  feet ;  to  search  the  Scriptures  ;  and 
to  rely  on  thy  Spirit  to  cleanse  me  from  all  that  is 
evil,  and  to  strengthen  me  in  all  that  is  good. 

Merciful  Father,  persuade  impenitent  sinners  to 
give  their  hearts  to  thee.  Make  them  feel  that 
thou  hast  created  them  for  thine  own  ;  that  thou 
hast  purchased  them  day  by  day,  by  thy  common 
mercies  ;  and  that  Christ  died  that  they  might  love 
thee.  Make  them  realize,  in  some  degree,  what  it 
is  to  be  cast  off  from  thy  love  forever.  O  lead 
them  by  the  terrors  of  the  Lord,  and  by  the  cords 
of  love,  to  give  thee  their  affections  without  reserve, 
whilst  thou  art  waiting  to  be  gracious.  Whilst  thou 
art  calling,  "  To-day,"  O  may  they  hear  thy  voice, 
and  harden  not  their  hearts ;  but  open  their  con- 
sciences to  conviction  of  sin,  and  their  souls  to  the 
renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  so  that  they  may  the 
able  to  say,  "  Whom  have  we  in  heaven  but  thee, 
and  there  is  none  on  earth  that  we  desire  beside 
thee." 


123 


HEATHEN. 

Blessed  God,  I  thank  thee  for  the  rich  and  va- 
rious blessings  of  thy  gospel  which  I  am  permit- 
ted to  enjoy.  O  may  the  possesion  of  them  remind 
me  that  there  are  millions  of  my  fellow-creatures, 
as  good  by  nature  as  I  am,  to  whom  tftey  are  de- 
nied. Give  me,  I  pray  thee,  for  the  merits  of  Je- 
sus Christ,  such  a  sense  of  these  mercies,  that  my 
gratitude  to  thee  shall  constantly  urge  me  to  strive 
to  extend  them  to  the  benighted  nations  of  the  earth. 
Make  my  heart  a  fountain  of  compassion  for  the 
wants  and  woes  of  the  heathen  ;  and  lead  my  feel- 
ings into  such  actions  as  shall  make  me  an  instru- 
ment of  giving  them  the  blessings  of  salvation. 
Show  me  that  where  there  is  no  vision  the  people 
perish,  and  that  they  only  who  call  on  the  name  of 
the  Lord  shall  be  saved.  But  how  shall  they  call 
on  him  in  whom  they  have  not  believed  ;  and  how 
shall  they  believe  in, him  of  whom  they  have  not 
heard  ?  And  how  shall  they  hear  without  a  preach- 
er ;  and  how  shall  any  preach  except  they  be  sent? 
Make  my  conscience  and  heart  feel  the  command 
thou  hast  given  thy  people,  to  preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature.  O  Lord,  lead  me  to  obey  it  accord- 
ing to  the  dictates  of  thy  Spirit,  and  the  openings 
of  thy  providence.  Grant  that  I  may  regard  it  as 
an  incumbent  duty  and  a  blessed  privilege,  to  con- 
tribute of  my  substance,  my  labours,  and  my  pray- 
ers, for  the  conversion  of  the  world. 

Lord,  I  would  praise  thee  for  what  thou  hast  in- 
clined thy  chosen  generation  to  do,  in  these  days, 
for  the  heathen  world.  O  strengthen  and  bless  all 
their  efforts  which  are  founded  on  obedience  and 
love  ;  and  do  thou  lead  them  to  plan  and  execute 


124 

every  measure  which  will  secure  thy  favour.  Im- 
part to  all  thy  churches  a  holy  and  fervent  mission- 
ary spirit ;  and  cheer  them  by  frequent  tidings, 
that  thou  art  granting  to  the  Gentiles,  repentance 
unto  life.  Grant  that  every  attempt  which  is  made 
to  spread  thy  gospel  abroad,  may  result  in  the  re- 
vival of  pure  religion  at  home. — O  do  thou  give 
wisdom  and  energy  to  those  societies  and  organi- 
zations which  devise  and  direct  missionary  efforts. 
May  they  be  composed  of  men  of  wisdom,  faith- 
fulness, and  prayer  ;  who  shall  have  the  confidence 
of  thy  people,  and  the  favour  of  God,  in  their  un- 
dertakings.— Be  pleased,  O  Jehovah,  to  raise  up 
and  qualify  many,  who  shall  go  forth  to  the  be- 
nighted, to  preach  the  everlasting  gospel.  Make 
them  men  of  clean  hands,  holy  hearts,  and  self-de- 
nying labour. — Lord,  dispense  thy  choicest  and 
fullest  mercies  on  those  who  are  now  labouring 
among  the  heathen.  Animate  them  with  zeal, 
courage,  prayer,  and  hope.  Be  thou  a  glory  in 
the  midst  of  them,  and  a  defence  around  about 
them.  Give  efficacy  to  their  plans  of  education, 
especially  among  the  rising  generation.  Grant  them 
access  to  the  affections,  judgments  and  consciences 
of  those  whom  they  instruct  in  temporal  and  spi- 
ritual knowledge  ;  and  give  them  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  thy  work  prospering  in  their  hands. 

I  bless  thee  for  the  success  which  has  already 
crowned  the  work  of  thy  servants.  O  let  this 
wave-offering  be  the  pledge  of  the  future  harvest. 
Though  it  be  but  as  a  handful  of  corn  in  the  earth, 
upon  the  top  of  the  mountains ;  do  thou  cause  the 
fruit  thereof  to  shake  like  Lebanon  !  Bless,  I  pray 
thee,  those  nations  who  have  recently  received  the 
gospel.  Be  not  as  a  stranger  in  their  land,  and  as 


125 

a  wayfaring  man,  that  turneth  aside  to  tarry  only  for 
a  night.  Bear  rule  over  them :  call  them  by  thy 
name  ;  and  let  not  thy  cause  suffer  reproach  among 
the  heathen. 

Lord,  look  in  mercy  on  ail  who  are  the  objects 
of  the  missionary  enterprise.  Stay  their  hands 
from  cruelty  to  those  who  are  sent  to  them  with 
the  gospel  message.  Break  down  every  barrier  of 
law,  of  prejudice,  and  of  enmity;  and  cause  the 
heathen  to  receive  the  missionary  with  kindness 
and  gladness  of  heart.  Incline  their  ears  and  open 
their  hearts  to  receive  that  truth  which  is  able  to 
make  them  wise  unto  salvation :  and  grant  that 
Christ  may  speedily  have  the  heathen  for  his  in- 
ner itance,  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for 
nis  possession. 

HE  AVE  N. 

O  God,  Most  High,  assist  my  feeble  powers  to 
contemplate  the  bliss  of  heaven.  In  that  blest  land 
the  righteous  shall  hunger  no  more  ;  neither  thirst 
any  more  ;  and  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from 
their  eyes.  There  they  shall  understand  all  mys- 
teries and  all  knowledge.  Now  they  see  through 
a  glass  darkly  ;  but  then  they  shall  see  face  to  face 
— now  they  know  but  in  part ;  but  then  they  shall 
know  even  as  they  are  known.  There  they  shall 
dwell  in  the  city  of  the  living  God,  the  New  Jeru- 
salem, with  an  innumerable  company  of  angels, 
and  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect;  and  shall 
sing,  with  unwearied  tongues,  the  new  song  of 
praise  to  the  Lamb,  who  has  redeemed  them  to 
God  by  his  blood,  out  of  every  kindred,  and 
tongue,  and  people,  and  nation.  There  they  shall 
serve  God  with  fulness  of  joy,  holiness  of  heart, 
11* 


•05178 

- 


126 

and  obedience  of  will :  and  he  that  sitteth  on  the 
throne  shall  dwell  among  them,  the  Lamb  shall  feed 
them,  and  lead  them  to  living  fountains  of  waters  : 
and  thus  they  shall  be  forever  with  the  Lord ! 

I  thank  thee,  O  God,  that  thou  hast  made  known 
to  us  the  glories  of  the  heavenly  state,  and  that 
thou  hast  taught  us  how  we  may  obtain  them.  Life 
and  immortality  have  been  brought  to  light  by  the 
gospel ;  and  though  the  carnal  eye  hath  not  seen, 
nor  the  ear  heard,  nor  have  entered  into  such  heart, 
the  things  which  thou  hast  prepared  for  them  that 
love  thee ;  yet  thou  hast  revealed  them  to  thy 
children,  by  thy  Spirit,  as  a  foretaste  of  that  glory 
which  shall  be  made  known  in  the  eternal  life. — 
O  Lord,  shall  I  be  a  partaker  of  that  blessedness  ? 
Grant  that  the  contemplation  of  it  may  make  me 
feel  the  vanity  of  earthly  things,  and  lead  me  to 
set  my  affections  on  things  that  are  heavenly  and 
divine.  May  I  follow  after  holiness,  without  which 
no  man  shall  see  the  Lord ;  and  seek  a  building  of 
God,  a  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the 
heavens. 

Lord,  grant  that  visions  of  heavenly  glory  may 
quicken  the  hopes,  and  purify  the  hearts,  and  ani- 
mate the  zeal  of  thy  chosen  people.  May  they 
have  thy  grace  in  them,  as  a  rich  prelude  to  the 
joys  of  everlasting  life.  May  they  show  by  their 
lives,  that  here  they  have  no  abiding  place,  no 
continuing  city  ;  but  that  they  seek  a  better,  even 
a  heavenly. — Lead  them,  O  Lord,  while  they  strive 
to  work  out  their  own  salvation,  to  seek  to  bring 
others  into  the  path  of  eternal  life.  Make  them 
feel  that  their  own  happiness  and  glory  in  the 
future  state,  will  be  greatly  increased  by  their 
turning  souls  unto  righteousness  here :  for  then 


127 

they  shall  shine  as  the  brightness  of  the  firmament, 
and  as  the  stars  forever  and  ever. 

Blessed  Lord,  convince  the  worldly-minded  and 
sinful,  of  the  depraving  and  perishing  nature  of 
temporal  things  ;  and  of  the  exalted  and  eternal 
treasures  thou  hast  laid  up  in  the  home  of  the 
righteous.  Induce  them,  by  thy  Spirit,  to  renounce 
the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil ;  and  to  seek 
that  faith  in  Christ,  that  purity  of  heart,  and  that 
compliance  with  thy  will,  by  which  they  shall  be 
made  meet  for  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light. 
And  to  thy  name,  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  shall  be 
the  glory  of  their  salvation  forever. 

H  ELL. 

O  Lord,  give  me  a  deep  conviction  of  the  awful 
truth,  that  thou  hast  ordained  arid  fixed  a  place  of 
torment  for  all  the  finally  impenitent — a  bottomless 
pit,  where  there  is  the  blackness  of  darkness — a 
prison,  where  there  is  weeping  and  gnashing  of 
teeth — a  lake  of  fire,  where  the  smoke  of  their 
torment  ascendeth  forever.  There  they  will  re- 
member their  ungodly  deeds ;  their  multiplied 
mercies ;  the  riches  of  thy  long-suffering  which 
they  despised;  the  instruction  they  hated;  and 
their  hardness  and  impenitence  of  heart,  whereby 
they  treasured  unto  themselves  wrath  against  the 
day  of  wrath.  There  they  shall  have  cruel  fel- 
lowship with  the  devil  and  his  angels  :  hatred  and 
malice,  and  every  evil  passion,  shall  vex  their 
souls  ;  while  around,  and  above,  and  beneath  them, 
will  be  indignation  and  wrath,  tribulation  and  an- 
guish ! 

Lord,  let  not  my  heart  ever  rebel  against  the 
wisdom  and  righteousness  of  thy  punitive  justice. 


128 

Just  and  true  are  all  thy  ways,  thou  King  of 
Saints.  Teach  me,  O  God,  by  the  deep  damna- 
tion of  the  wicked,  that  thou  hatest  sin  and  lovest 
holiness ;  and  that  thou  art  thus  promoting  the 
obedience  and  welfare  of  the  universe,  and  sus- 
taining thy  character  as  the  moral  Governor  of 
creation. 

Assist  me,  God  of  Grace,  to  flee  from  the  wrath 
to  come,  and  to  lay  hold  of  eternal  life,  through 
the  Saviour.  But  O,  let  me  not  be  satisfied  with 
my  own  safety.  May  I  seek  the  salvation  of  those 
that  are  in  the  broad  way  of  ruin.  Impel  me  by 
keen  sympathy  for  their  danger,  and  love  for  their 
happiness,  to  put  forth  such  efforts  of  prayer  and 
labour,  as  shall  be  the  means  of  saving  some  that 
are  ready  to  perish. 

O  do  thou  arouse  the  church  to  a  conviction  of 
her  duty  to  a  perishing  world.  Let  none  of  thy 
people  dishonour  their  calling,  by  carelessness 
about  the  eternal  welfare  of  the  impenitent.  May 
each  one  feel  the  powers  of  the  world  to  come ; 
and  by  earnest  supplication,  and  by  fervent  action, 
strive  for  the  blessedness  of  converting  sinners 
from  their  dangerous  ways,  and  of  saving  souls 
from  the  second  death. 

Lord,  I  beseech  thee,  give  the  wicked  such 
views  of  the  everlasting  destruction  awaiting  the 
unrepenting  sinner,  as  shall  lead  them  to  consider 
the  mercy  that  has  provided  a  way  of  escape  from 
perdition.  Persuade  them,  by  thy  terrors,  to  be 
reconciled  to  thee  by  the  blood  of  the  everlasting 
covenant.  O  make  many*  who  now  seem  to  be 
vessels  of  wrath,  fitting  for  destruction,  to  be  ves- 
sels of  mercy,  preparing  for  glory ;  who  shall  be 
kept  by  thy  power,  through  faith,  unto  final  salva- 


129 

tion :  where  the  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  the  love  of  God,  and  the  communion  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  which  are  begun  on  earth,  shall  be 
perfected  forever. 

HOLINESS. 

Heavenly  Father,  grant  me  the  spirit  of  holi- 
ness. O  restore  me  to  thy  blessed  image,  and 
transform  me  by  the  renewing  of  my  mind,  that  I 
may  know  thy  will,  and  present  myself  a  living  sa- 
crifice, holy  and  acceptable,  which  is  my  reasonable 
service.  Mould  my  character  by  thy  word,  and 
lead  me  to  obey  that  form  of  doctrine  which  thou 
hast  delivered  to  me.  Make  me  spiritually-minded, 
which  is  life  and  peace.  O  enable  me  to  say, 
"  Behold,  old  things  are  passed  away ;  all  things 
are  become  new." 

Lord,  make  me  a  partaker  of  thy  holiness,  and 
lead  me  in  the  paths  of  righteousness,  for  thy 
name's  sake.  But  let  me  not  forget  that  this  great 
work  is  not  of  blood,  nor  of  the  will  of  the  flesh, 
nor  of  the  will  of  man,  but  of  God.  My  heart  is 
by  nature  desperately  wicked ;  and  unless  thou 
give  me  the  sanctifying  power  of  thy  Spirit,  I  shall 
remain  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins.  Renew  me, 
I  beseech  thee,  in  the  spirit  of  my  mind,  turn  me 
from  darkness  unto  light,  and  put  on  me  the  new 
man,  which  after  God  is  created  in  righteousness 
and  true  holiness. 

Blessed  Lord,  let  me  not  regard  iniquity  in  my 
heart,  nor  roll  sin  as  a  sweet  morsel  under  my 
tongue.  Make  me  feel  all  the  motives  that  should 
deter  me  from  transgression. — Teach  me  to  be 
holy,  because  thou  art  holy. — Grant  me  such  views 
of  the  cross  of  Christ,  as  shall  lead  me  to  hate  and 


130 

forsake  sin.  Thou  didst  choose  thy  saints  in 
Christ,  before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  that 
they  should  be  holy  and  without  blame  before  thee 
in  love:  and  he  gave  himself  for  them  that  he 
might  redeem  them  from  all  iniquity,  and  purify 
unto  himself  a  peculiar  people. — O  may  the  hope 
of  his  salvation,  prompt  me  to  purify  myself,  even 
as  he  is  pure.  Make  me  feel  the  guilt,  misery,  and 
danger  of  sin. — Assist  me  to  mortify  the  flesh  with 
the  affections  and  lusts  thereof,  that  I  may  live  in 
thy  favour. — May  I  remember  that  the  eyes  of  men 
are  upon  me :  let  me  not  cause  thy  name  to  be  blas- 
phemed through  my  transgression. — Instruct  me 
that  thy  glory  requires  me  to  hate  evil ;  for  thou 
hast  made  thy  people  a  holy  nation,  to  show  forth 
the  praises  of  him  who  has  called  them  from  dark- 
ness into  light. — O  God,  make  rne  pure  in  heart ; 
for  without  holiness  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord ; 
and  there  shall  in  no  wise  enter  into  heaven,  any 
thing  that  defileth. 

Lord,  assist  me,  I  beseech  thee,  in  this  great 
duty  of  personal  sanctification.  Let  thy  grace  be 
in  me  as  a  perpetual  fountain  of  godliness.  May  I 
go  from  strength  to  strength,  and  may  my  path  be 
as  the  shining  light,  which  shineth  more  and  more, 
unto  the  perfect  day.  O  fill  me  with  the  fruits  of 
righteousness,  which  are  by  Jesus  Christ,  unto  the 
glory  and  praise  of  God. 

HOLINESS    OF     GOD. 

Lord,  thou  art  glorious  in  holiness.  There  is  no 
stain  on  thy  will,  and  no  spot  on  thy  character : 
the  righteous  Lord  loveth  righteousness.  Just,  and 
true,  and  pure  are  all  thy  thoughts,  purposes,  and 
doings.  Thou  art  of  purer  eyes  than  to  counte- 


131 

nance  evil  in  others ;  and  thou  canst  not  look  on 
sin  without  abhorrence.  Thou  art  angry  with  the 
wicked  every  day,  and  thou  wilt  cast  them,  unless 
they  repent,  into  everlasting  destruction.  Even  the 
heavens  are  not  clean  in  thy  sight ;  and  thou 
chargest  thine  angels  with  folly. 

Blessed  God,  teach  me  the  beauty  of  thy  holiness. 
O,  it  is  the  life  and  perfection  of  thy  character. 
Thou  hast  shown  it  in  all  thy  ways — in  the  works 
of  creation,  which  were  all  very  good — in  thy  provi- 
dence, by  which  thou  hast  sought  to  make  us  par- 
takers of  thy  holiness — in  thy  grace,  which  teaches 
us  to  deny  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts — in  the 
gift  of  Jesus,  who  came  to  save  us  from  the  guilt 
and  dominion  of  sin — in  thy  truth,  by  which  we 
are  sanctified — in  the  work  of  thy  Spirit,  whereby 
we  are  baptized  unto  righteousness  : — and  thou 
wilt  show  it  in  the  awful  decisions  of  the  last  day, 
when  the  wicked  shall  go  away  into  everlasting 
punishment,  but  the  righteous  into  life  eternal. 

O  Lord,  may  a  sense  of  thy  holiness  awe  and 
control  my  spirit.  May  it  dispose  me  to  walk 
humbly  in  thy  sight :  for  if  the  holy  ones  of  heaven 
veil  their  faces  before  thee,  it  becomes  me  to  lie  in 
the  dust,  and  to  cry,  "Guilty;  unclean:  God  be 
merciful  to  me  a  sinner."  Teach  me  that  there  is 
no  communion  between  God  and  unholy  spirits  ; 
and  that  none  but  the  pure  in  heart  can  enjoy  thy 
favour,  or  see  thy  face  in  righteousness.  May  t 
learn  more  and  more  the  excellence  of  the  Saviour 
whom  thou  hast  provided  for  sinners  :  for  if  we 
were  not  accepted  in  the  Beloved,  none  could  be 
justified  in  thy  sight.  Cause  a  conviction  of  thy 
sinless  perfection  to  fill  me  with  reverence  in  all 
my  approaches  to  thee ;  and  suffer  me  not  to  forget 


132 

that  if  I  regard  iniquity  in  my  heart,  thou  wilt  not 
hear  my  supplications.  O  give  me  such  contem- 
plations of  thy  holiness  as  shall  cajise  me  to  die 
unto  sin  and  live  unto  righteousness.  And  may  I, 
beholding  as  in  a  glass  its  glory,  be  changed  into 
the  same  image,  from  glory  to  glory. 

HOLY     SPIRIT. 

Blessed  and  Triune  God,  enable  me  to  understand 
the  character  and  offices  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Thou 
hast  revealed  him  to  us  as  a  partner  of  the  Deity, 
who  exercises  the  attributes  of  the  Most  High,  and 
does  the  works  of  the  Almighty.  O  may  my 
thoughts  of  him  be  such  as  become  me  when  I  me- 
ditate on  the  name  of  God.  I  thank  thee  that  thou 
hast  sent  that  Spirit  to  convince  the  world  of  sin, 
of  righteousness,  and  of  judgment.  Grant,  O  Lord, 
that  I  may  share  in  all  his  blessed  influences,  and 
that  they  may  be  in  me  as  a  well  of  water,  spring- 
ing up  into  everlasting  life.  May  they  be  as  show- 
ers that  water  the  earth,  imparting  to  my  soul 
growth,  beauty,  and  fruitfulness,  and  giving  me  fa- 
vour in  the  sight  of  God  and  man. 

Blessed  Spirit,  show  me  my  sinfulness,  apply  to 
me  the  redemption  purchased  by  Christ,  mortify  the 
deeds  of  the  body,  and  renew  me  day  by  day  in  thy 
holy  image.  O  do  thou  lead  me  into  the  knowledge 
of  truth,  make  intercession  within  me  in  prayer, 
bear  witness  with  my  spirit  that  I  am  a  child  of 
God,  and  seal  me  with  that  promise,  which  is  an 
earnest  until  the  redemption  of  the  purchased  pos- 
session. Be  thou  my  comforter  in  sorrow,  my 
strength  in  weakness,  my  shield  in  temptation,  my 
teacher  in  ignorance,  my  security  in  joy,  my  leader 


133 

in  the  labyrinths  of  life,  and  my  consolation  in  the 
hour  of  death. 

Lord,  pour  out  thy  Spirit  on  all  thy  servants. 
May  they  enjoy,  in  the  fullest  measure,  those  fruits 
which  are  love,  joy,  peace,  long-suffering,  goodness, 
meekness,  gentleness,  temperance,  faith.  Persuade 
them  to  set  a  high  value  on  these  things,  and  to 
seek  them  by  fervent  and  believing  prayer.  Cause 
them  to  live  in  continual  dependence  on  divine  in- 
fluence, and  to  walk  worthy  of  the  character  of  that 
Holy  Agent.  Make  them  his  living  temples,  where 
there  shall  be  the  incense  of  prayer,  praise,  and  holy 
obedience.  May  he  sanctify  their  hearts,  bind  them 
closer  by  faith  to  Christ,  make  them  wise  unto  sal- 
vation, and  prepare  them  for  their  eternal  weight  of 
glory. 

Lord,  I  would  praise  thy  name  for  the  power 
which  the  Holy  Ghost  has  exerted  over  the  con- 
sciences and  wills  of  sinners,  in  leading  them  to 
feel  their  guilt  and  danger,  and  in  persuading  and 
enabling  them  to  accept  the  plan  of  salvation.  O 
continue  and  increase  these  manifestations  of  thy 
mercy.  Let  not  the  ungodly  grieve  thy  Spirit,  and 
be  left  to  ripen  for  perdition.  Let  none  wrest  to 
their  own  destruction  the  truth,  that  they  must  be 
born  again  by  the  Holy  Ghost :  but  may  they  make 
it  the  anchor  of  their  hope,  and  receive  with  glad- 
ness those  ministrations  which  are  life,  because  of 
righteousness.  O  do  thou  convince,  convert,  and 
sanctify  multitudes  who  now  live  after  the  flesh ; 
and  do  thou  lead  them,  in  the  exercises  of  a  spirit- 
ual life,  to  glorify  thy  grace  on  earth,  and  enjoy 
the  fellowship  of  the  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  in 
heaven. 

12 


134 


HOME    MISSIONS. 

Great  God,  cause  my  heart  to  give  a  ready  and 
fervent  response  to  the  appeals  that  are  made  to  it, 
to  send  the  gospel  to  every  kindred  and  nation  under 
heaven  :  but  O  let  it  not  forget,  in  the  excitement  of 
foreign  enterprises,  the  equally  urgent,  but  less  sti- 
mulating, claims  of  the  destitute  in  our  own  borders. 
I  thank  thee  that  institutions  have  been  organized 
to  send  the  heralds  of  the  cross  over  the  length  and 
breadth  of  our  land,  to  seek  out  and  build  its  waste 
places,  and  to  gather  and  feed  those  that  are  scattered 
as  sheep  without  a  shepherd.  But,  Lord,  show  us 
that  this  work  is  but  just  begun  ;  and  that  our  in- 
creasing population  greatly  outruns  the  supply  of 
the  means  of  grace :  that  in  many  places  thy  precious 
word,  thy  holy  day,  and  thy  sanctifying  worship, 
are  not  known,  or  are  but  little  regarded ;  while  in- 
fidelity and  lewdness,  profanity  and  intemperance, 
Sabbath-breaking  and  fraud,  are  spreading,  like  in- 
fection, throughout  communities. 

O  let  the  work  of  domestic  missions  commend 
itself  to  the  patronage  and  prayers  of  the  wise  and 
good  of  all  classes.  May  the  patriot  regard  it  as 
the  prosperity  of  the  country ;  the  philanthropist 
further  it  as  the  welfare  of  humanity  ;  and  the  Chris- 
tian prosecute  it  as  the  temporal  and  eternal  well- 
being  of  the  people.  Let  those  who  are  supplied 
with  the  institutions  of  the  gospel,  gladly  send  them 
to  the  destitute ;  and  let  those  who  are  without  them, 
be  excited  to  seek,  and  welcome,  and  help  to  sus- 
tain them  in  their  midst. 

God  of  Missions,  give  increased  success  to  the 
efforts  already  made  in  this  glorious  cause.  Bring 
many  other  labourers  up  to  the  help  of  the  Lord,  in 


135 

the  contest  with  ignorance,  error,  and  vice.  Esta- 
blish a  pastor  in  every  destitute  neighbourhood.  Let 
the  Bible,  the  Sabbath,  the  Sunday-school,  and  the 
sanctuary,  dispense  their  riches  wherever  there  is  a 
people  in  want  of  them.  And  let  thine  enduring 
favour  rest  upon  every  such  labour  of  love. 

Lord,  grant,  for  Jesus'  sake,  that  the  voice  of  in- 
struction, of  praise,  and  of  prayer,  may  abide  in 
every  city,  and  village,  and  hamlet,  and  household, 
in  our  wide  and  flourishing  country. 

HONESTY. 

Lord,  dispose  me  to  render  to  all  their  dues.  Im- 
plant such  a  sense  of  justice  in  my  bosom,  that  I 
shall  willingly  give  to  my  fellow-creatures,  of  every 
rank,  all  their  lawful  and  moral  rights.  Let  not  sel- 
fishness exalt  itself  against  the  dictates  of  integrity  ; 
nor  covetousness  violate  the  duties  of  uprightness. 
Rebuke  in  me  that  love  of  lucre,  whether  it  be  in 
small  things  or  in  great,  which  would  lead  me  to 
forego  the  demands  of  rectitude  for  the  desires  of 
dishonesty.  Grant  me,  if  it  seem  good  to  thee, 
that  moderate  competence,  and  contentment  with  it, 
which  will  raise  me  above  the  temptations  of  poverty. 
But  do  thou  assure  me,  that  the  wealth,  which 
I  sometimes  covet,  neither  satisfies  the  soul,  nor 
elevates  its  sense  of  justice,  but  begets  raging  de- 
sire and  clamorous  injustice. 

Heavenly  Father,  make  me  prompt  in  the  dis- 
charge of  my  obligations  ;  especially  to  the  poor. 
Let  me  owe  no  man  any  thing,  without  his  cheerful 
consent.  Or  if  misfortune  or  disappointment  deny 
me  the  present  ability  to  discharge  the  claims  of 
creditors,  let  no  evasive  plea  nor  legal  subterfuge 
release  me  from  the  conviction  of  indebtedness,  and 


136 

the  purpose  of  recompense.  Great  God,  may  I 
remember  the  wo  of  him  that  buildetli  his  house 
by  unrighteousness,  and  his  chambers  by  wrong ; 
and  the  reward  of  him  that  walketh  righteously, 
and  despiseth  the  gain  of  oppressions,  and  shaketh 
his  hand  from  holding  bribes — he  shall  dwell  on 
high ;  his  defence  shall  be  the  munitions  of  rocks  ; 
bread  shall  be  given  him  ;  his  water  shall  be  sure  ; 
his  name  shall  be  as  ointment  poured  forth,  and  his 
memory  shall  be  blessed. 

HOPE. 

Lord,  grant  me  a  good  hope  through  grace.  May 
it  be  the  fruit  of  thy  Spirit,  and  be  rooted  and 
grounded  in  that  faith  by  which  we  receive  the 
atonement  of  the  Messiah :  for  other  foundation  can 
no  man  lay  than  that  which  is  laid  in  Jesus  Christ. 
May  it  be  a  hope  that  maketh  not  ashamed ;  that 
purifieth  the  heart ;  that  is  a  helmet  of  salvation  ; 
and  an  anchor  of  the  soul,  both  sure  and  steadfast, 
which  enters  into  that  within  the  veil,  and  rejoices 
in  the  expectation  of  the  glory  of  God.  O  may  it 
prompt  me  to  seek  to  bring  others  into  the  same 
fellowship  .of  joy,  that  we  together  may  share  the 
promise  of  life. 

Teach  the  wicked,  O  God,  that  a  door  of  hope 
has  been  opened  for  the  chief  of  sinners  : — a  way 
of  access  to  pardon,  in  which  thou  canst  be  just, 
and  still  be  the  justifier  of  them  that  believe  in 
Jesus.  Let  not  their  hearts  be  deceived  by  those 
hopes  of  earthly  good,  which  are  either  blasted  in 
their  bud,  or  ripen  into  bitter  fruit.  Show  them 
that  the  expectation  of  the  wicked  shall  perish,  and 
that  the  trust  of  the  hypocrite  shall  be  as  the  spi- 
der's web :  while  ^he  hope  of  the  righteous  shall 


137 

be  gladness  and  assurance  forever.  I  pray  thee 
bring  many  sinners  to  the  footstool  of  thy  throne, 
to  learn  the  blessedness  of  putting  their  confidence 
in  the  blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant ;  from  which 
only  can  they  receive  the  promise  of  the  life  that 
now  is,  and  of  that  which  is  to  come. 

HOSPITALITY. 

Lord,  give  me  the  spirit  of  hospitality.  Grant 
me  a  heart  of  generosity,  that  will  take  pleasure  in 
reciprocating  the  kindness  of  domestic  life,  and  in 
supplying  the  wants  of  the  stranger  and  the  desti- 
tute. May  I  remember  that  some,  in  so  doing, 
have  entertained  angels  unawares  ;  and  that  thou 
hast  said,  it  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive. 
Thou  hast  commanded  us  to  use  hospitality,  with- 
out grudging  ;  and  hast  promised  that  those  who  do 
so,  shall  be  recompensed  at  the  resurrection  of  the 
just. 

Lord,  thou  art  good  to  all :  thy  tender  mercies 
are  over  all  thy  works.  Even  thine  enemies  share 
richly  in  thy  bounty.  Incline  me,  therefore,  to  be 
merciful,  even  as  thou  art  merciful.  Lead  me  to  do 
good,  and  to  communicate  ;  for  with  such  sacrifices 
thou  art  well-pleased.  Dispose  me  to  be  an  almoner 
of  thy  bounty.  As  I  have  freely  received,  so  may 
I  freely  give. 

HUMAN      DEPRAVITY. 

Lord,  thou  didst  create  man,  after  thine  own 
image,  in  knowledge  and  holiness;  but  he  fell  from 
the  estate  wherein  he  was  created,  by  sinning  against 
God  ;  and  now,  by  his  fall,  all  mankind  have  lost 
communion  with  God,  are  under  thy  wrath  and 
curse,  and  are  made  liable  to  all  the  miseries  of  this 
12* 


138 

life,  to  death  itself,  and  to  the  pains  of  hell  forever. 
Thou  didst  indeed  make  man  upright ;  but  he  has 
sought  out  many  inventions.  His  gold  has  become 
dim,  and  his  most  fine  gold  is  changed.  And  now 
the  heart  of  the  sons  of  men  is  full  of  evil :  the 
carnal  mind  is  enmity  against  God :  they  are  all 
gone  out  of  the  way  :  there  is  none  righteous  ;  no, 
not  one.  O  Lord,  everywhere  I  behold  the  records 
of  human  depravity.  The  pages  of  history,  the 
experience  of  my  own  heart,  the  witness  of  my 
eyes,  and  the  news  brought  on  every  breeze,  tell 
me  that  man  is  a  sinner.  And  yet  for  every  spark 
of  sin  in  the  outward  life  of  every  man,  there  has 
been  a  raging  flame  of  transgression  in  his  hidden 
nature.  O  let  not  my  mind  be  swayed  from  this 
truth,  because  there  are  some,  who  in  their  natural 
and  unredeemed  state,  seem  to  be  not  far  from  the 
kingdom  of  God :  for  if  thou  hadst  not  controlled 
their  characters,  and  shaped  their  destinies,  they  also 
had  been  the  vilest  of  the  vile.  Suffer  me  not,  in 
my  intercourse  with  children,  to  suppose,  from  their 
comparative  innocence  and  docility,  that  they  are 
not  depraved  :  for  O,  thy  testimony  against  them  is, 
that  they  go  astray  from  the  womb  ;  and  that  folly 
is  bound  up  in  their  hearts. 

Lord,  give  me  an  ever-present  conviction  of  this 
solemn  doctrine,  that  I  may  watch  and  pray  against 
the  evil  tendencies  of  my  own  heart,  and  also  look 
with  earnest  anxiety  on  the  condition  of  those,  who 
have  not  been  brought  to  know  and  forsake  their 
iniquities.  Enable  me  to  realize  its  nature  and  ex- 
tent— to  understand  that  the  most  unsanctiued  sel- 
fishness has  usurped  the  sceptre  which  God  should 
sway  in  the  heart ;  and  that  all  men  are,  in  their 
natural  character,  utterly  destitute  of  holiness,  and 


139 

entirely  sinful.  Lord,  permit  not  my  thoughts  to 
impeach  thy  wisdom,  or  justice,  or  holiness,  when 
I  meditate  on  this  truth  ;  for  thou  hast  laid  no  stern 
necessity  on  us  that  we  should  sin  :  and  we,  we 
only,  are  guilty  before  thee  in  our  transgressions. 
O  God,  take  away  this  stony  heart  out  of  my  flesh, 
and  give  me  a  heart  of  flesh.  Subdue  the  corrup- 
tion of  my  nature,  and  make  me  a  new  creature  in 
Christ  Jesus.  x 

Blessed  Lord,  convince  the  wicked  of  their  deep- 
rooted  depravity  ;  and  that  unless  they  are  born 
again,  they  must  be  shut  out  of  the  kingdom  of 
God.  Show  them  that  they  have  destroyed  them- 
selves ;  while  in  thee  only  is  their  help.  Teach 
them  that  thou  hast  sought  their  repentance  by  the 
every-day  mercies  of  life,  by  the  offers  of  pardon, 
and  by  the  threats  of  vengeance  :  and  yet  they  have 
abused  thy  gifts,  and  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  thine  en- 
treaties and  warnings.  Show  them  that  the  way 
of  the  wicked  is  darkness,  and  the  end  thereof 
eternal  death  :  while  the  path  of  the  just  is  as  the 
shining  light,  and  his  reward  a  blissful  eternity. 
Whilst  thou  art  revealing  to  them  the  enormity  of 
their  guilt,  show  them  the  surpassing  extent  of  the 
redemption  thou  hast  provided  for  it.  O  may  thy 
Spirit  transform  their  corrupt  wills,  and  renew  their 
depraved  affections.  Save  them  by  the  washing  of 
regeneration,  and  the  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost; 
that  being  sanctified  by  grace,  they  shall  be  made 
partakers  of  thy  holiness,  and  heirs  of  eternal  life. 

HUMILITY. 

Heavenly  Father,  give  me  such  views  of  thine 
infinite  excellence,  and  of  my  unworthiness,  as  shall 
humble  me  in  the  dust  before  thee.  Thou  art  the 


140 

infinite,  eternal,  and  unchangeable  Jehovah  ;  and  all 
thine  attributes  and  works  are  excellent  and  glo- 
rious. But  as  for  us,  we  dwell  on  the  footstool  of 
thy  dominion,  and  live  every  moment  at  the  expense 
of  thy  goodness.  We  are  ignorant ;  not  knowing 
what  a  day  may  bring  forth.  We  are  helpless  ;  not 
being  able  to  make  one  hair  white  or  black.  We 
are  by  nature  the  children  of  wrath ;  and  even  in 
our  best  estate,  when  thy  Spirit  has  wrought  upon 
our  hearts,  it  becomes  us  to  say,  "  God  be  merciful 
to  us,  sinners.'*  Lord,  what  is  man,  that  thou  art 
mindful  of  him  ;  or  the  son  of  man,  that  thou  visit- 
est  him  ? 

Lord,  I  would  remember  that  he  who  was  the 
brightness  of  his  Father's  glory,  abased  himself, 
and  led  a  life  of  trial  and  reproach,  and  suffered  a 
death  of  cruelty  and  shame.  O  God,  make  me  a 
follower  of  him  who  was  thus  meek  and  lowly. 
Lo,  the  angels  of  heaven  veil  their  faces  before  thee, 
in  expressive  token  of  inferiority  and  un worthiness. 
How  much  more  should  I  humble  myself  in  thy 
holy  presence.  Thanks  be  to  thy  name,  this  which 
is  my  duty,  is  also  my  privilege.  Thou  hast  given 
thy  promise  to  humility ;  saying,  that  he  who 
humbleth  himself  shall  be  exalted.  Thou  hast  been 
pleased  to  put  matchless  and  unspeakable  honour 
on  it,  by  making  the  contrite  heart  thy  dwelling- 
place.  O  may  this  grace  control  my  life.  May  it 
dwell  in  my  heart,  teaching  me  my  proper  charac- 
ter. May  it  pervade  my  walk,  leading  me  to  meek- 
ness of  speech  and  action,  and  controlling  my  spirit, 
both  in  prosperity  and  in  adversity.  May  it  fit  me 
for  doing  thy  holy  will  in  all  things. 

Lord,  clothe  all  thy  followers  with  humility. 
Make  them  feel  their  infinite  disparity  with  thee. 


141 

May  they,  in  lowliness  of  mind,  esteem  others  better 
than  themselves.  Let  them  not  be  high-minded,  but 
fear :  and  while  they  think  they  stand,  may  they 
take  heed  lest  they  fall.  May  they  look  back  to  the 
hole  of  the  pit  whence  they  were  digged.  Teach 
them  that  thou  hatest  the  pride  of  man  ;  and  that 
thou  wilt  give  the  kingdom  of  heaven  to  those  only 
who  are  poor  in  spirit. 

HYPOCRISY. 

God  of  Truth,  let  a  sense  of  thy  presence,  and  a 
regard  for  thy  will,  preserve  me  from  the  odious  sin 
of  hypocrisy.  Let  me  not  insult  thee  with  a  lip- 
service,  while  my  heart  is  far  from  thee  :  nor  with 
a  form  of  compliance  with  thy  law,  while  my  soul 
pursues  the  carnal  pleasures  of  earth.  Thou  art 
not  deceived,  and  thou  canst  not  be  mocked ;  be- 
cause thou  searchest  all  hearts,  and  understandest 
all  the  imaginations  of  the  thoughts.  O  make  me 
feel  both  the  folly  and  vileness  of  this  transgression. 
Thou  hast  said  that  the  hope  of  the  hypocrite  shall 
perish,  and  that  his  trust  shall  be  as  the  spider's 
web.  Thou  hatest  them  that  cover  up  their  wick- 
edness ;  who  are  like  whited  sepulchres,  which  in- 
deed appear  beautiful  outward,  but  within  are  full 
of  dead  men's  bones,  and  all  manner  of  unclean- 
Mess.  God  forbid  that  I  should  have  only  the  name, 
without  the  character,  of  godliness.  Make  thou 
my  life  the  symbol  of  my  heart,  and  my  heart  the 
living  record  of  thy  commandments. 

Keep  me,  O  God,  from  hypocrisy  towards  my 
fellow-creatures.  Restrain  me  from  desiring  or  at- 
tempting to  make  any  deceptive  impression  on  them. 
Let  no  guile  be  found  in  my  tongue,  nor  affectation 
of  righteousness  in  my  walk.  Let  me  not  outwardly 


142 

appear  righteous  to  men,  while  within  I  am  full  of 
hypocrisy  and  iniquity.  Keep  me  from  a  deceitful 
mind  and  flattering  lips,  and  from  ail  disposition  to 
make  or  love  a  lie.  Let  not  my  heart  be  set  on  the 
applause  or  patronage  of  men  ;  but  on  the  favour 
of  God,  and  on  that  final  plaudit:  "Well  done, 
good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of 
thy  Lord." 

IDOLATRY. 

Great  God,  look  in  mercy  on  those  who  are  bow- 
ing down  to  gods  which  their  own  hands  have  made, 
or  worshipping  the  things  thou  hast  created,  and 
which  are  dependent  on  thee  for  their  being.  O 
Lord,  further  every  effort  that  is  made  to  spread 
light  among  the  dark  places  of  the  earth.  May 
brightness  spring  up  to  them  that  sit  in  the  region 
and  shadow  of  death.  Cause  the  isles  to  wait  for 
thy  law,  and  the  Gentiles  to  come  to  thy  light.  Bring 
many  from  the  east  and  the  west,  who  shall  sit 
down  with  Abraham,  and  Isaac,  and  Jacob,  in  the 
kingdom  of  heaven.  Say  to  the  north,  "  Give  up  ;" 
and  to  the  south,  "  Hold  not  back."  Bring  thy  sons 
from  afar,  and  thy  daughters  from  the  ends  of  the 
earth.  Make  the  wilderness  and  solitary  place  to 
be  glad ;  and  the  desert  to  rejoice  and  blossom  as  the 
rose.— Lord,  teach  the  heathen  that  the  Godhead 
is  not  like  unto  gold,  or  silver,  or  stone ;  graven  by 
art  or  man's  device.  May  they  learn  the  folly  and 
wickedness  of  their  worship,  and  casting  their  idols 
to  the  moles  and  the  bats,  honour  and  serve  the 
living  God. — Lord,  thou  seest  that  this  harvest  is 
plenteous,  but  the  labourers  are  few.  Send  forth 
labourers  into  it,  who  shall  be  the  means  of  dis- 
pelling every  form  of  superstition,  and  spreading 


143 

the  day-spring  of  thy  gospel :  until  every  heart  shall 
be  an  altar,  and  every  tongue  a  voice  of  praise,  unto 
him  that  sitteth  on  the  throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb, 
forever. 

Blessed  Lord,  keep  my  own  heart  from  idolatry. 
Thou  art  God  ;  and  beside  thee  there  is  none  other. 
Suffer  me  not  to  idolize  the  world,  nor  any  thing 
that  is  in  the  world.  Let  no  created  good  supplant 
thy  dominion  over  my  heart.  Let  no  object  of  af- 
fection divert  from  thee  that  supreme  love  which  I 
owe  thee,  as  my  Creator,  Preserver,  and  Redeemer. 
What  concord  hath  Christ  with  Belial  ?  what  agree- 
ment should  the  temple  of  God  have  with  idols  ? 
Be  thou  to  me  my  all,  and  in  all.  Persuade  and 
control  my  soul  to  acknowledge  thee  as  the  only 
true  God,  and  my  God ;  and  to  worship  and  glorify 
thee  accordingly. 

IMMORTALITY. — See  Eternity,  Heaven,  Hell,  Soul. 

IMMUTABILITY     OF     GOD. 

Thou,  Lord,  in  the  beginning,  hast  laid  the  foun- 
dation of  the  earth,  and  the  heavens  are  the  works 
of  thy  hands  :  they  shall  perish  ;  but  thou  remainest; 
and  they  all  shall  wax  old,  as  doth  a  garment ;  and 
as  a  vesture  shalt  thou  fold  them  up,  and  they  shall 
be  changed  :  but  thou  art  the  same,  and  thy  years 
shall  not  fail.  In  all  the  perfections  of  thy  nature 
there  is  no  variableness,  nor  shadow  of  turning. 
Thy  counsels  of  old  are  faithfulness  and  truth. 
Thou  hast  been  the  hope  of  the  fathers  ;  and  thou  art 
the  God  of  their  seed  after  them — thou  hast  been 
the  dwelling-place  of  thy  people  in  all  generations ; 
and  thou  wilt  be  their  surety  for  good  continually. 
Thy  promises  are  Yea  and  Amen,  in  Christ  Jesus. 


144 

And  thy  decrees  of  salvation,  or  of  condemnation, 
stand  fast  forever.  O  Lord,  make  me  feel  my  own 
fickleness  of  heart  and  mind,  and  my  uncertainty 
of  being,  that  I  may  be  better  prepared  to  adore 
and  trust  thee  as  the  unchangeable  God. 

INCOMPREHENSIBLENESS     OF     GOD. 

Who  can,  by  searching,  find  out  God  ?  Thou 
dwellest  in  light  that  no  man  can  approach  unto. 
The  knowledge  of  thee  is"  high  as  heaven  ;  deeper 
than  hell — and  the  measure  thereof  is  longer  than 
the  earth,  and  broader  than  the  sea.  The  thunder 
of  thy  pOAver  who  can  understand  ?  The  number 
of  thy  years  cannot  be  searched  out.  Thine  under- 
standing is  infinite.  Thou  doest  great  things,  past 
finding  out,  and  wonders  without  number.  Thy 
way  is  in  the  sea,  thy  path  in  the  great  waters,  and 
thy  footsteps  are  not  known.  But  greater  than  all 
things  else  is  the  mystery  of  godliness  ;  God  mani- 
fest in  the  flesh,  to  reconcile  the  world  unto  himself, 
and  make  reconciliation  for  the  sins  of  the  people. 
O  the  depth  of  the  riches,  both  of  the  wisdom  and 
knowledge  of  God  !  How  unsearchable  are  thy 
judgments,  and  thy  ways  past  finding  out.  Great 
Jehovah,  help  me  to  bow  before  thee  with  mingled 
sensations  of  adoration,  fear,  humility,  and  love. 

INDEPENDENCY    OF     GOD. 

Thou  art  the  uncreated,  self-existent,  independent 
Jehovah.  Who  hath  been  thy  counsellor;  who 
hath  taught  thee  the  path  of  judgment;  or  showed 
thee  the  way  of  understanding  ? — Thou  hast  stretch- 
ed forth  the  heavens  alone,  and  spread  the  earth  by 
thyself:  thou  faintest  not,  neither  art  weary  with 
labour  :  thou  art  everlasting  strength. — Thou  need- 


145 

est  not  the  wisdom  nor  power  of  any,  to  help  thee 
in  the  measures  of  thy  government ;  for  they  are 
all  thy  creatures,  and  thy  counsel  standeth  forever. 
Thou  art  not  worshipped  as  though  thou  needest 
any  thing ;  every  beast  of  the  forest  being  thine, 
with  the  cattle  upon  a  thousand  hills  ;  and  thou  giv- 
est  unto  all,  life,  and  breath,  and  all  things  :  yea, 
thou  art  exalted  above  blessing  and  praise. 

Lord,  make  me  understand  that  I  am  dependent 
on  thee  for  life,  for  hope,  for  blessing,  for  every 
thing.  O  dispose  me  to  seek  thee,  as  the  source  of 
every  right  feeling,  and  the  fountain  of  every  pure 
joy.  Of  thee,  and  through  thee,  and  unto  thee,  are 
all  things  ;  to  whom  be  glory  forever. 

INFIDELITY. 

God  of  Light,  destroy  those  various  forms  of  in- 
fidelity which  exalt  themselves  against  God  and 
truth  ;  and  which  are  gathering  snares  and  destruc- 
tion upon  multitudes  of  immortal  souls.  Teach  all 
men  that  these  delusions  are  the  offspring  of  human 
depravity  and  ignorance,  and  the  fruitful  sources  of 
misery,  vice,  and  ruin.  They  who  cherish  them 
love  darkness  rather  than  light,  because  their  deeds 
are  evil ;  and  they  choose  the  fruits  of  death,  rather 
than  come  to  thee,  and  obtain  life.  They  walk  in 
the  vanity  of  their  minds,  having  their  understand- 
ings darkened,  being  alienated  from  the  life  of  God, 
through  the  ignorance  that  is  in  them  ;  because  of 
the  blindness  of  their  hearts.  Religion  would  not 
suffer  their  enmity,  if  it  were  not  the  foe  of  sin  : 
nor  would  the  world  hate  thee,  if  thou  didst  not 
testify  of  it,  that  the  works  thereof  are  evil. 

Yet,  O  Lord,  have  not  the  dissensions  and  sins 
of  those  who  profess  thy  name,  greatly  contributed 
13 


146 

to  increase  the  scepticism  of  the  unbelieving  heart? 

0  how  has   the  cause  of  Christ  been  wounded  in 
the  house  of  his  friends  !     Take  away,  I  beseech 
thee,  every  root  of  bitterness  from  thy  church  ;  and 
cause  thy  people  so  to  live,  that  even  the  infidel 
shall  be  led  to  glorify  our  Father  in  heaven. 

Blessed  God,  I  thank  thee  that  thy  word  has 
been  made  stronger  by  every  effort  to  undermine  it ; 
and  brighter  by  every  endeavour  to  tarnish  it.  Scatter, 

1  pray  thee,  every  mist  of  error  and  sin,  by  the  light 
of  truth  ;  and  bring  all  mankind  to  submit  their  judg- 
ments, and  bow  their  wills,  to  the  teachings  of  thy 
written  word.    Give  it  victory  over  all  that  pollutes, 
and  degrades,  and  ruins  man — in  behalf  of  all  that 
purifies,  exalts,  and  saves  him.     May  it  subdue  his 
understanding  to  truth,  his  habits  to  righteousness, 
and  his  heart  to  a  peace,  which  the  world  can  neither 
give  nor  take  away. 

I  NQUIRERS. 

Merciful  God,  dispose  many  to  ask  the  fearfully 
solemn  and  important  question,  "  What  must  I  do 
to  be  saved  ?"  Fasten  in  the  minds  of  such  a  tho- 
rough conviction  of  the  exceeding  guilt  of  sin.  May 
thy  Spirit  show  them  its  enormity,  as  committed 
against  the  Author  of  their  being,  and  the  Giver  of 
their  mercies.  Make  them  feel  their  wretched  con- 
dition, in  being  without  hope  and  without  God  in 
the  world,  with  thy  wrath  abiding  on  them.  Show 
them  their  own  inability  to  save  themselves,  and 
that  their  every  effort,  that  is  not  seconded  and  sanc- 
tified by  the  Spirit,  sinks  them  deeper  in  their  con- 
demnation. Set  clearly  before  their  minds  the 
necessity  and  value  of  salvation  through  the  blood 
of  Jesus  :  for  they  that  reject  it,  shall  perish  with 


147 

an  everlasting  destruction,  while  they  who  accept  it, 
shall  be  redeemed  from  the  dominion  and  penalty 
of  sin,  and  be  blessed  with  the  favour  of  a  recon- 
ciled God  forever.  O  give  them  earnest  desires  for 
that  redemption ;  desires  that  spring  from  convic- 
tions of  the  worth  of  the  soul — the  wrath  of  an 
offended  Judge — the  tender  love  of  a  dying  and 
interceding  Saviour — the  bliss  that  shall  be  revealed 
to  the  saints  above — and  the  glory  of  the  Most  High, 
who  will  cause  their  salvation  to  praise  him.  Lord, 
make  them  fearful  of  grieving  away  the  strivings  of 
thy  Spirit.  Let  them  not  be  deluded  by  the  vain 
hope  of  a  more  convenient  season.  Impress,  with 
a  living  freshness,  upon  their  hearts,  that  now  is 
the  accepted  time,  and  this  the  day  of  salvation. 
Say  to  them  that  thirst,  "  Come  ye  to  the  waters : 
yea,  come,  buy  wine  and  milk,  without  money  and 
without  price :  eat  ye  that  which  is  good,  and  let 
your  souls  delight  themselves  in  fatness."  Let  none 
of  them  draw  back  to  perdition.  Enable  them  at 
once,  and  forever,  to  renounce  their  transgressions, 
and  to  receive  and  rest  upon  Jesus  alone  for  salva- 
tion. Let  the  Holy  Ghost  lead  them  into  the  know- 
ledge of  truth — preserve  them  from  the  power  of 
error — give  them  peace  in  believing — and  fill  them 
with  a  holy  zeal  to  advance  thy  cause  and  fulfil 
thy  will,  in  all  the  duties  of  religion. 

INTEMPERANCE. 

Lord,  I  beseech  thee,  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  to 
banish  from  our  land,  and  from  the  world,  the  causes 
and  evils  of  intemperance.  Reclaim  those  that  are 
now  wandering  in  the  paths  of  drunkenness  ;  re- 
cover them  whose  feet  are  running  in  the  way  of 
temptation  ;  and  throw  thy  merciful  restraint  and 


148 

protection  over  those  who  are  yet  untainted  by  this 
destroying  vice.  O  do  thou  enlighten  mankind  as 
to  its  nature  and  remedy  ;  enlist  against  it  the  full- 
hearted  and  persevering  opposition  of  children  and 
youth  ;  and  hring  up  to  the  help  of  the  Lord  against 
the  mighty,  the  good  of  every  name  and  nation. 

May  all  men  learn  that  alcohol,  the  intoxicating 
ingredient  of  spirituous  liquors,  is  not  the  gift  of 
God,  hut  the  product  of  man's  selfishness  ;  that  as 
a  drink  it  is  not  necessary  nor  useful,  but  hurtful 
and  poisonous.  Teach  them  that  it  diseases  the 
body,  weakens  and  paralyzes  the  understanding, 
stupifies  the  conscience,  and  hardens  the  heart.  O, 
how  has  it  destroyed  property,  time,  happiness,  and 
life — and  filled  the  world  with  poverty,  misery,  and 
crime — and  dragged  down  to  everlasting  perdition 
souls  that  otherwise  might  have  been  brought  within 
the  reach  of  the  gospel,  and  have  been  made  heirs 
of  eternal  life  ! 

Lord,  I  thank  thee  for  the  efforts  which  have  been 
made  to  stay  these  desolations,  and  for  the  success 
which  has  thus  far  crowned  the  temperance  reforma- 
tion. But  I  would  feel  that  there  remaineth  yet 
very  much  land  to  be  possessed.  Alas,  there  is 
still  a  fearful  residue  of  this  evil  to  be  removed.  O 
may  the  zeal  of  the  efforts  already  put  forth  in  this 
benevolent  scheme,  be  continued  and  greatly  in- 
creased. Establish  the  principle  that  total  absti- 
nence from  every  thing  that  can  intoxicate,  is  that 
alone  which,  with  the  blessing  of  God,  will  redeem 
and  preserve  our  race  from  the  fearful  evils  of  in- 
temperance. O  do  thou  remove  the  causes  of  this 
vice  ;  and  let  there  be  none  to  make,  nor  sell,  nor 
buy  the  hurtful  poison.  Dispose  our  lawgivers  to 
take  away  the  protection  and  sanction  of  law  from 


149 

this  traffic  in  the  bodies  and  souls  of  men ;  and  to 
enact  such  statutes  as  will  dry  up  these  fountains 
of  poverty  and  wretchedness,  crime  and  death.  Do 
thou  inform  and  purify  public  sentiment  everywhere 
in  relation  to  the  great  and  vital  interests  of  temper- 
ance. Then,  O  Lord,  our  hearts  will  rejoice  that 
the  merciless  destroyer  has  been  banished,  to  give 
place  to  health,  industry,  individual  and  public  wel- 
fare, and  the  triumphs  of  the  gospel. 

INTERCESSION. 

Heavenly  Father,  I  thank  thee  that  we  have  an 
advocate  at  the  right  hand  of  the  Majesty  on  high, 
even  Jesus  Christ,  the  righteous.  He  hath  not  en- 
tered into  the  holy  place  made  with  hands ;  but  into 
heaven  itself,  to  appear  in  the  presence  of  God  for 
us ;  where  he  ever  liveth  to  make  intercession  for 
his  chosen  generation.  Blessed  Jesus,  I  rejoice 
that  thou  wilt  not  break  the  bruised  reed,  nor  quench 
the  smoking  flax  ;  that  though  Satan  hath  desired 
to  have  thy  people,  that  he  might  sift  them  as  wheat, 
yet  thou  prayest  for  them,  that  their  faith  fail  not : 
and  that  thou  art  their  Mediator,  to  present  their  be- 
lieving prayers,  and  secure  their  acceptance,  at  the 
throne  of  the  heavenly  mercy. 

Lord,  lead  me,  in  the  faith  of  that  intercession, 
to  the  sceptre  of  thy  grace,  persuaded  that  thou  art 
able  by  thy  power,  and  willing  in  thy  mercy,  to 
supply  me  with  all  that  I  need.  Assist  me  to  draw 
nigh,  with  a  true  heart,  in  the  full  assurance  of 
faith :  for  we  have  not  an  high-priest  who  cannot 
be  touched  with  a  feeling  of  our  infirmities  ;  but 
one  who  was  in  all  points  tempted  as  we  are,  yet 
without  sin ;  and  who  is  able  to  save,  unto  the  ut- 
termost, all  who  come  unto  thee  by  him.  O  Jesus, 
13* 


150 

Blessed  Mediator,  take  my  cause  into  thine  own 
hands.  Plead  my  interests  for  me,  by  thy  spotless 
life,  thy  bleeding  wounds,  thy  cruel  death,  and  thy 
purchased  glory ;  and  enable  me  to  rejoice  in  thy 
success,  and  to  bless  thy  holy  name  forever. 

Lord,  grant  me,  for  Christ's  sake,  a  strong  and 
an  abiding  spirit  of  intercessory  prayer.  Dispose 
me  to  make  supplication  for  all  men.  Make  it  my 
privilege  to  commend  to  thee  all  that  are  near  and 
dear  to  me  ;  that  thou  wouldst  guide  them  by  thy 
counsel,  protect  them  by  thy  power,  and  save  them 
by  thy  grace.  Lead  me  to  pray  for  my  enemies, 
for  the  needy,  the  afflicted,  the  sick,  and  the  dying. 
Incline  me  to  lift  up  earnest  supplication  on  behalf 
of  thy  church.  Especially,  O  Lord,  may  the  yearn 
ings  of  my  heart  go  forth  for  the  impenitent.  Make 
me  feel  that  the  triumphs  of  thy  church  will  depend 
on  the  importunity  of  thy  people  for  mercy  on  the 
ungodly.  O  may  I  understand  their  awful  condi- 
tion, and  be  induced  to  plead  with  thee,  in  the  name 
of  Christ,  and  through  the  intercessions  of  thy 
Spirit,  that  they  may  be  saved.  Give  me  that  de- 
gree of  confidence  in  thee,  and  regard  for  thy  glory, 
and  such  earnest  longings  after  their  conversion,  as 
thou  wilt  own  and  bless,  by  the  redemption  of  souls. 

J  E  W  S. 

Merciful  God,  seek  and  save  the  lost  sheep  of  the 
house  of  Israel,  whose  history  thou  hast  made  the 
monument  of  thy  justice,  and  the  seal  of  thy  truth. 
Look  in  mercy  on  thine  ancient  covenant  people, 
who  are  scattered  and  peeled,  and  who  have  become 
a  by-word,  and  a  term  of  reproach,  among  the  na- 
tions of  the  earth.  How  long,  O  Lord,  shall  thy 
goodness  delay  towards  those  to  whom  were  once 


151 

committed  the  lively  oracles ;  and  of  whom,  as  con 
cerning  the  flesh,  Christ  came?  Do  thou  use  such 
instrumentalities  as  shall  bring  them  to  feel  their 
blindness  of  mind  and  hardness  of  heart,  in  reject- 
ing Jesus  ;  and  may  they  look  to  him  from  the  ends 
of  the  earth,  and  be  saved.  Lord,  confirm  the  evi- 
dences of  the  truth  of  the  gospel,  and  glorify  thy 
Son,  by  bringing  them  into  the  blessings  of  the  new 
covenant.  For  if  the  fall  of  them  was  the  riches 
of  the  world,  and  the  diminishing  of  them  the  riches 
of  the  Gentiles,  how  much  more  their  fulness ! 
Thou  hast  not  indeed  cast  away  thy  people,  whom 
thou  didst  foreknow.  They  shall  turn  to  thee, 
when  the  vail  shall  be  taken  away.  Assemble,  I 
pray  thee,  the  outcasts  of  Israel,  and  gather  the  dis- 
persed of  Judah,  from  the  four  corners  of  the  earth. 
Bid  these  dry  bones  hear  the  word  of  the  Lord  ; 
and  breathe  on  these  slain,  that  they  may  live.  O 
Lord,  hasten  that  time,  when,  through  the  mercy 
bestowed  on  us,  they  also  shall  obtain  mercy  ;  and 
when,  with  the  fulness  of  the  Gentiles,  all  Israel 
shall  be  saved ! 

JESUS     CHRIST. 

Blessed  Father,  teach  me  thy  truth  as  it  is  in  Je- 
sus. Grant  that  I  may  love  it,  and  feed  upon  it ; 
and  that  I  may  teach  it  by  my  lips,  and  manifest  it 
by  my  conduct  to  others. — Alas,  our  race,  which 
thou  didst  make  but  a  little  lower  than  the  angels, 
fell  from  the  noble  and  happy  condition  in  which  it 
was  created,  by  sinning  against  thee:  and  when 
thou  didst  look  from  heaven,  upon  the  children  of 
men,  to  see  if  there  were  any  that  did  understand, 
or  seek  after  God  ;  behold  !  they  were  altogether 
become  filthy  :  there  was  none  that  did  good  ;  no, 


152 

not  one.  Yet  thou  didst  not  cast  them  off;  but  in 
the  counsels  of  thy  mercy,  didst  enter  into  a  cove- 
nant of  grace,  to  bring  them  into  an  estate  of 
salvation  by  a  Redeemer  ;  even  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  who,  being  the  eternal  Son  of  God,  became 
man,  that  he  might  redeem  us  from  the  curse  of  the 
law,  in  being  made  a  curse  for  us  ;  and  that  we 
might  have  salvation  through  his  blood. — O  Lord, 
we  exercised  no  penitence  of  heart  that  could  have 
prompted  thee  to  this  display  of  compassion  ;  and 
there  was  nothing  in  our  character  which  could  give 
thee  any  delight.  It  was  sovereign,  unsearchable, 
unmerited  grace  that  formed  and  perfected  the  plan 
of  redemption.  Thou  didst  indeed  commend  thy 
love  to  us,  in  that  while  we  were  sinners,  Christ 
died  for  us  ! 

(Deity.] — Great  God,  enable  me  to  make  Christ, 
and  him  crucified,  the  primary  object  of  study  and 
faith.  Give  me  heartfelt  and  precious  views  of  his 
character  and  offices.  May  I  regard  him  as  that 
Word,  which  was  in  the  beginning  with  God,  and 
was  GOD  ;  and  which  was  made  flesh,  and  dwelt 
on  earth,  full  of  grace  and  truth.  O  suffer  me  never 
to  doubt  that  in  him  dwells  all  the  fulness  of  the 
Godhead  bodily.  To  him  belongs  eternity  ;  for  he 
was  before  all  things.  He  is  the  creator  ;  for  with- 
out him  was  not  any  thing  made  that  was  made. 
To  him  pertains  dominion;  he  upholds  all  things 
by  the  word  of  his  power.  He  is  everywhere  pre- 
sent ;  since  where  two  or  three  are  gathered  to- 
gether in  his  name,  he  is  in  the  midst  of  them.  His 
understanding  is  infinite ;  for  he  knows  the  hearts 
of  all  men. — He  that  honoureth  not  the  Son,  ho- 
noureth  not  the  Father,  which  hath  sent  him. — 
Blessed  Jesus,  if  thy  disciples  worshipped  thee,  as 


153 

the  Searcher  of  hearts  and  the  Saviour  of  souls — 
if  all  the  angels  of  heaven  cry  unto  thee,  "Bless- 
ing and  honour,  glory  and  power" — well  may  I  ac- 
knowledge and  proclaim  thee,  as  the  living  and  true 
God! 

(Prophet.] — Lord,  assist  me  to  receive  Christ  as 
my  Teacher.  May  he  reveal  to  me,  by  his  word 
and  Spirit,  the  will  of  God  for  my  salvation.  May 
I  learn  of  him,  who  spake  as  never  man  spake,  and 
who  taught  as  one  having  authority.  Let  me  re- 
member that  if  I  hearken  not  to  his  words,  thou 
wilt  require  it  of  me :  for  if  they  escaped  not,  who 
refused  him  that  spake  on  earth,  much  more  shall 
not  I  escape,  if  I  turn  from  him  that  speaketh  from 
heaven.  O  put  his  law  into  my  mind,  and  write  it 
in  my  heart.  Let  its  entrance  give  light  and  love, 
zeal  and  purity  to  my  soul.  Lord,  let  it  not  be  a 
savour  of  death  unto  death,  but  of  life  unto  life. 

(Priest.} — Help  me,  I  pray  thee,  to  receive  Jesus 
as  the  High-Priest  of  my  profession.  May  I  look 
on  him  as  offering  up  himself  a  sacrifice,  to  satisfy 
divine  justice,  and  reconcile  us  to  God  ;  and  as  ever 
living  to  make  intercession  for  his  chosen  people. 
He  who  was  the  brightness  of  the  Father's  glory, 
and  who  thought  it  not  robbery  to  be  equal  with 
God,  took  upon  himself  the  form  of  a  servant,  that 
he  might  put  away  sin,  by  the  sacrifice  of  himself, 
in  his  own  body,  on  the  tree.  Yea,  it  pleased  thee 
to  bruise  him,  to  put  him  to  grief,  to  make  his  soul 
an  offering  for  sin,  that  he  might  justify  many,  and 
that  the  pleasure  of  the  Lord  might  prosper  in  his 
hand.  In  due  time,  when  we  were  without  strength, 
Christ  died  for  the  ungodly  ;  taking  away  the  hand- 
writing of  ordinances  that  was  against  us  ;  suffering 
the  just  for  the  unjust;  that  he  might  bring  us  to 


154 

God. — Lord,  I  would  praise  thee  that  by  him  we 
have  received  the  atonement.  Thou  hast  set  him 
forth  to  be  a  propitiation,  through  faith  in  his  blood, 
for  the  remission  of  sins.  He  has  given  his  life  a 
ransom  for  many.  He  who  knew  no  sin,  was  made 
sin  for  us,  that  we  might  be  made  the  righteousness 
of  God  in  him. 

O  Lord,  convince  me  that  forgiveness  is  granted 
only  for  his  sake  :  there  being  no  other  name  given 
among  men  whereby  they  can  be  saved.  Teach  me 
that  his  costly  sacrifice  was  not  needed  to  make  thee 
willing  to  be  reconciled  to  us  ;  for  it  was  the  fruit 
of  thy  love  :  but  because  thou  wouldst  maintain  thy 
justice,  and  still  be  thejustifier  of  him  that  believeth 
in  Jesus,  and  his  deliverer  from  the  wrath  to  come. 
Heavenly  Father,  show  me  by  this  office  of  Christ's 
mission,  the  lost  condition  of  human  nature,  and 
the  wonders  of  thy  justice  and  love.  May  it  be 
the  most  cherished  object  of  my  contemplation,  and 
fill  my  spirit  with  adoration  and  thanksgiving,  love 
and  obedience.  May  I  thus  judge,  that  if  Christ 
has  died  for  me,  I  should  henceforth  live,  not  unto 
myself,  but  unto  him  ;« and  that  both  living  and 
dying  I  should  be  the  Lord's.— [See INTERCESSION.] 

(King.) — Great  God,  I  pray  thee,  make  me  will- 
ing to  receive  Christ  not  only  as  my  Saviour,  but 
as  my  Sovereign,  to  subdue  me  to  himself,  to  rule 
and  defend  me,  and  to  restrain  and  conquer  all  his 
and  my  enemies.  O  may  I  regard  his  service  great- 
er riches  than  the  treasures  of  Egypt.  Thou  hast 
set  him  at  thy  right  hand,  that  at  his  name  every 
knee  should  bow,  and  every  tongue  confess  ;  and  hast 
given  unto  him  the  keys  of  death  and  hell,  with  all 
power  in  heaven  and  earth.  His  throne  is  forever 
and  ever.  Thou  wilt  break  them  with  a  rod  of  iron, 


155 

who  will  not  have  thy  Son  to  reign  over  them ; 
and  wilt  dash  them  in  pieces,  as  a  potter's  vessel. 
Thou  wilt  make  him  Governor  among  the  nations, 
and  give  him  the  heathen  for  his  inheritance,  and 
the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for  a  possession. 

0  hasten  that  day. — Lord,  lead  my  thoughts  often 
to  that  consummation  of  Christ's  sovereignty,  when 
he  shall  come  in  his  glory,  to  judge  the  quick  and 
the  dead.     O  may  he  then  be  my  Saviour  King, 
and  I  be  a  redeemed  vassal  of  his  everlasting  king- 
dom. 

(Example.} — Jehovah  God,  incline  me  to  make 
Jesus  my  example  in  all  the  duties  of  life.  May 
the  same  mind  that  was  in  him,  be  also  in  me. 
Lead  me  to  walk  even  as  he  walked ;  for  he  that 
followeth  not  after  him  is  not  worthy  of  him.  May 

1  look  unto  him  as  my  pattern  of  patience  and  hu- 
mility, prayer  and  faith,  long-suffering  and  benevo- 
lence.   May  I  strive  to  purify  myself  even  as  Christ 
is  pure  ;  and  beholding,  as  in  a  glass,  his  glory,  be 
changed  into  the  same  image,  from  glory  to  glory, 
as  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord. 

(Union.} — Lord,  unite  me  to  Christ  by  a  living 
faith,  even  as  the  branch  is  united  to  the  vine. 
Make  me  a  new  creature  in  him.  May  I  receive 
of  his  fulness,  and  grace  for  grace.  May  he  be  to 
me  that  bread  from  heaven  that  giveth  eternal  life  ; 
and  be  formed  in  my  heart  the  hope  of  glory.  Make 
me  a  member  of  that  body,  of  which  Christ  is  the 
head.  Build  me  upon  the  foundation  of  the  Apos- 
tles and  Prophets,  Jesus  Christ  being  the  chief  cor- 
ner-stone ;  in  whom  the  whole  building,  fitly  framed 
together,  groweth  unto  a  holy  temple  of  the  Lord. 
O  may  my  life  be  hid  with  Christ  in  God  ;  that  he 


156 

may  be  made  unto  me,  wisdom  and  righteousness, 
sanctificatiori  and  redemption. 

Lord,  suffer  me  not  to  be  ashamed  of  the  gospel 
of  Jesus.  Teach  me  to  regard  it  as  my  highest 
honour,  to  have  communion  with  the  Spirit,  and 
fellowship  in  the  service,  of  my  blessed  Saviour. 
Make  him  my  all  in  all :  my  song  in  the  season  of 
rejoicing,  and  my  hope  in  the  hour  of  trial.  God 
forbid  that  I  should  glory,  save  in  the  cross  of 
Christ. 

God  of  Mercy,  do  thou  present  the  character  and 
offices  of  Jesus  to  the  min'ds  of  the  unconverted,  so 
that  they  may  be  convinced  that  they  are  transgres- 
sors, and  be  persuaded  to  trust  in  him  for  salvation. 
O  may  thy  Spirit  apply  to  them  the  redemption 
purchased  in  him,  by  convincing  them  of  their  sin 
and  misery,  enlightening  their  minds  in  the  know- 
ledge of  Christ,  renewing  their  wills,  and  persuad- 
ing and  enabling  them  to  embrace  Jesus,  freely  offered 
to  them  in  the  gospel. — [See  CHRISTMAS.]] 

JOY. 

Lord  of  Blessedness,  grant  me  that  joy  of  faith, 
that  rejoicing  of  hope,  which  is  a  fruit  of  thy  Spirit. 
Give  me  a  full  and  rich  experience  of  the  sources  of 
this  bliss — which  indeed  are  not  broken  cisterns, 
that  can  hold  no  water,  but  fountains  full  to  over- 
flowing, with  the  healing  stream  of  life. — Lord,  re- 
veal thyself  unto  me,  as  thou  dost  not  unto  the  world, 
and  fill  my  heart  with  pleasure  in  learning  thy  cha- 
racter, and  in  communing  with  thy  love. — Enable 
me  to  rejoice  in  Christ,  and  in  the  forgiveness  of 
sin  through  him,  with  a  joy  that  is  unspeakable  and 
full  of  glory. — Give  me  that  blessed  spirit  of  adop- 
tion, by  which  I  may  cry  "  Abba,  Father." — May 


157 

the  Holy  Ghost  give  life  to  my  hope,  and  strength 
to  my  rejoicing. — Cause  me  to  rejoice  in  thy  word, 
as  one  that  findeth  great  spoil. — May  I  love  the  ha- 
bitation of  thy  house,  and  find  more  comfort  in  thy 
tabernacles  than  in  the  tents  of  wickedness. —Let  all 
the  means  of  grace  be  to  my  spirit  as  rain  upon  the 
new-mown  grass,  and  as  showers  that  water  the 
earth. — Make  it  my  privilege  to  verify  thy  word, 
that  it  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive  ;  for 
the  Lord  loveth  a  cheerful  giver,  and  he  that  soweth 
bountifully  shall  also  reap  bountifully. — Grant  me 
the  peace  of  a  conscience  that  is  void  of  offence  to- 
wards God  and  man. — Make  the  communion  of 
saints  an  abundant  source  of  refreshment  and 
strength  to  my  Christian  graces. — May  the  triumphs 
of  thy  gospel  give  me  more  pleasure  than  the  wick- 
ed have  when  their  carnal  luxuries  do  most  abound. 
— O  Lord,  comfort  and  bless  my  soul  by  the  con- 
templation of  that  exceeding  and  eternal  weight 
of  glory,  that  remains  for  the  people  of  God,  in 
heaven. 

Lord,  grant  that  my  spiritual  enjoyments  may 
excite  me  to  gratitude,  and  lead  me  to  open  my 
lips,  that  my  mouth  may  show  forth  thy  praise. 
May  others  be  led  by  my  cheerful  happiness,  to 
taste  and  see  that  the  Lord  is  good.  When  thou 
enlargest  my  heart,  teach  me  to  run  in  the  way  of 
thy  commandments.  Enable  me  to  say  in  the  hour 
of  trial  and  suffering — "  None  of  these  things  move 
me ;  neither  count  I  my  life  dear,  so  that  I  may 
finish  my  course  with  joy/'  And,  O  when  heart 
and  flesh  shall  faint  and  fail,  in  the  struggle  of  death, 
may  thy  rod  and  staff  comfort  me  :  and  be  thou  the 
strength  of  my  heart,  and  my  portion  forever. 
14 


158 


JUDGMENT. 

Great  God,  thou  hast  appointed  unto  men  once 
to  die,  and  after  this  the  judgment,  when  every  one 
of  us  shall  give  account  of  himself  to  God ;  and 
when  thou  wilt  display  to  an  assembled  universe, 
the  righteousness  of  thy  justice,  and  the  glory  of 
thy  holiness.  Of  that  day  and  that  hour  knoweth 
no  man  ;  but  it  shall  be  the  end  of  the  world,  when 
all  the  works  therein  shall  be  burnt  up,  the  heavens 
pass  away  with  a  great  noise,  and  the  elements  melt 
with  fervent  heat.  Lord,  make  me  mindful  of  that 
awful  day,  and  of  the  solemn  truths  thou  hast  re- 
vealed concerning  it.  Then  the  Lord  Jesus  will 
come  with  his  holy  angels,  and  sit  on  his  great 
white  throne,  and  open  the  books  of  remembrance 
— the  testimonies  of  creation,  of  providence,  of 
scripture,  and  of  conscience.  The  quick  and  dead 
shall  stand  before  him,  to  be  judged  out  of  those 
things  that  are  written  in  the  books,  according  to 
their  works,  with  every  secret  thing,  whether  it  be 
good  or  evil ;  and  also  for  every  thing  which  thou 
didst  command  to  be  done,  but  which  they  left  un- 
done. Lord,  make  me  realize  that  men  will  then 
be  judged  also  for  the  privileges  they  have  enjoyed ; 
for  of  them  unto  whom  much  has  been  given,  much 
will  be  required.  O,  even  the  best  of  thy  saints 
will  then  need  the  atonement  of  Christ :  they  could 
not  stand  before  thee,  if  thou  shouldst  mark  their  ini- 
quities. But,  blessed  be  thy  name,  there  will  be 
no  condemnation  to  them  that  are  in  Christ  Jesus  : 
they  shall  receive  the  promise  of  a  new  heaven 
and  a  new  earth,  wherein  dwelleth  righteousness. 
But  then  the  judge  will  say  to  them  on  his  left  hand 
— "  Depart  from  me,  ye  cursed,  into  everlasting  fire, 


159 

prepared  for  the  devil  and  his  angels  :"  and  the 
wicked  shall  be  turned  into  hell,  witli  all  the  nations 
that  forget  God.  O  God  of  infinite  compassion, 
grant  that  in  that  fearful  day  of  trial,  my  name  may 
be  found  written  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life,  and 
that  my  unworthy,  hell-deserving  spirit  may  be  re- 
ceived, through  the  merits  of  Christ,  into  the  habi- 
tations of  eternal  life. 

JUSTICE     OF    GO  D. 

O  Most  High,  a  sceptre  of  righteousness  is  the 
sceptre  of  thy  kingdom.  Justice  and  judgment 
are  the  habitation  of  thy  throne:  just  and  true  are 
all  thy  ways,  thou  King  of  Saints.  Of  a  truth  thou 
art  no  respecter  of  persons  :  thy  law  is  holy,  and 
thy  government  upright.  The  righteousness  of  the 
righteous  shall  be  upon  him,  and  the  wickedness 
of  the  wicked  shall  be  upon  him. — I  would  adore 
and  praise  thee,  O  Lord,  that  thou  didst  maintain 
and  magnify  the  excellency  of  thy  justice,  in  giving 
thy  Son,  to  repair  by  his  own  blood,  the  violated 
law  ;  and  thus  to  make  it  more  honourable  in  the 
redemption  of  the  transgressor,  than  in  his  hopeless 
condemnation. 

O  Lord,  show  me,  in  the  light  of  this  attribute, 
the  glory  of  thy  dispensation  of  the  gospel,  in  which 
thou  canst  be  just,  and  the  justifier  of  even  the  worst 
of  sinners,  who  believe  in  Jesus.  But,  may  I  learn 
from  it  also,  that  thou  wilt  be  to  the  finally  impeni- 
tent, a  consuming  fire.  May  the  knowledge  of  it 
prevent  me  from  neglecting  or  violating  the  rights 
of  my  fellow-creatures,  and  lead  me  to  render  that 
which  is  just  and  equal,  to  all  men.  Let  the  threat- 
ened retributions  of  thy  judgment  warn  me  against 
transgression,  and  dispose  me  to  seek  conformity 
to  thy  will. 


160 

Lord,  cause  a  sense  of  thy  justice  to  alarm  the 
fears  of  the  ungodly.  Make  them  know  that  they 
are  treasuring  up  wrath  against  the  day  of  wrath, 
and  righteous  revelation  of  the  judgment  of  God. 
Lead  them  now  to  bow  to  thy  sceptre,  which  is  still 
the  symbol  of  mercy  ;  but  which  ere  long  may  be- 
come the  instrument  of  destruction.  I  pray  thee, 
redeem  them  from  the  curse  of  the  law,  and  give 
them  the  adoption  of  sons,  through  the  righteous- 
ness of  Christ. 

JUSTIFICATION. 

Blessed  Lord,  give  me  clear,  and  scriptural,  and 
saving  views  of  that  justification,  which  is  a  cardi- 
nal doctrine  of  the  gospel,  and  an  essential  and  life- 
giving  principle  of  personal  piety.  Teach  me  that 
it  is  an  act  of  thy  free  grace,  wherein  thou  pardon- 
est  all  our  sins,  and  acceptest  us  as  righteous,  in  thy 
sight,  only  for  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  im- 
puted to  us,  and  received  by  faith  alone.  Show  me 
that  in  it  thou  hast  displayed  thy  holiness,  satisfied 
thy  justice,  and  magnified  thy  law — Christ  being 
made  the  end  of  the  law,  to  every  one  that  believeth. 
Instruct  me  that  by  the  deeds  of  the  law,  no  flesh 
living  shall  be  justified  ;  but  only  by  the  faith  of 
Jesus  ;  in  whom  thou  art  reconciling  the  world 
unto  thyself,  not  imputing  unto  them  their  tres- 
passes and  sins. 

Lord,  justify  me  freely  by  thy  grace,  through  the 
redemption  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus.  In  his  merits, 
acquit  me  from  the  punishment  I  deserve  for  my 
transgressions,  and  give  me  a  title  to  those  bless- 
ings which  I  would  have  received  through  thy  law, 
if  I  had  fulfilled  it  in  sinless  obedience.  O  may  I 
ever  be  found  in  him,  not  having  on  mine  own 


161 

righteousness,  which  is  of  the  law  ;  but  that  which 
is  by  the  faith  of  him,  unto  all  and  upon  all  that 
believe.  Grant  that  I  may  have  peace  with  thee, 
and  access  to  thy  throne,  with  confidence  of  ac- 
ceptance, in  the  Beloved.  Give  me  faith  in  him  as 
a  living,  as  well  as  a  dying  Saviour — he  being  risen 
again  for  our  justification.  May  I  know  him  in 
whom  I  have  believed,  as  my  atoning  sacrifice  ; 
and  be  persuaded  that  he  is  able  to  keep  that  which 
I  have  committed  unto  him.  And  grant,  O  Lord, 
that  my  hope  of  forgiveness  and  favour,  in  the  blood 
of  the  Redeemer,  may  result  in  that  open  acknow- 
ledgment and  acquittal,  in  the  day  of  judgment, 
which  will  be  followed  by  everlasting  glory. 

Lord,  let  the  question,  "  How  shall  men  be  just 
with  God?"  agitate  the  minds  of  those  that  have 
not  made  their  peace  with  thee.  May  thy  spirit 
answer  it,  "  Believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and 
thou  shalt  be  saved."  And  do  thou  give  this  truth 
such  convincing  and  persuading  power,  that  many 
shall  accept  and  rest  on  Christ,  as  the  only  and  all- 
sufficient  hope  of  salvation. 

KNOWLEDGE. 

Great  God,  I  thank  thee  for  those  powers  of 
mind  thou  hast  bestowed  on  the  human  race,  which 
raise  us  so  far  above  the  brutes  that  perish,  and 
which  fit  us  to  acquire  and  use  rational  knowledge. 
Lord,  make  me  understand  and  practice  the  duties 
which  belong  to  the  possession  of  these  powers.  I 
pray  thee,  cultivate  suitably  in  me,  each  of  the 
faculties  of  my  mind.  Enlighten  my  judgment, 
strengthen  my  memory,  and  inform  my  understand- 
ing. Keep  me  from  error,  and  guide  me  into  truth. 
Especially  do  thou  show  me,  O  Lord,  the  path  of 
14  * 


162 

life,  and  grant  me  that  wisdom  which  leads  to  sal- 
vation. Instruct  me  in  all  the  duties  I  owe  to  men, 
to  myself,  and  to  thee.  While  I  am  careful  to  edu- 
cate my  faculties,  make  me  mindful  of  the  weak- 
ness and  failings  of  human  judgment.  Let  me  not 
lean  on  my  own  understanding,  but  trust  in  the 
living  God.  O  do  thou  so  discipline  my  thoughts, 
that  I  may  be  fitted  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  know- 
ledge, in  that  holy  region,  where  there  is  no  cloud 
of  ignorance  nor  of  error,  and  where  the  light 
of  truth  fills  and  surrounds  all  its  blessed  inhabi- 
tants. 

LAW     OF     GOD. 

I  thank  thee,  Great  God,  for  that  law  of  nature, 
impressed  on  my  conscience,  by  which  I  am  left 
without  excuse,  in  the  transgression  of  thy  will. 
But  I  would  praise  thee  still  more,  that  thou  hast 
given  me  the  law  of  thy  word,  to  convince  me  of 
sin,  to  warn  and  restrain  me,  and  to  lead  me  in  the 
ways  that  are  well-pleasing  in  thy  sight.  Thy 
commandment,  O  Lord,  is  holy,  just,  and  good. 
Thou  art  holy  ;  and  thy  law  is  perfect,  converting 
the  soul — thou  art  just ;  wherefore  thy  judgments 
are  true  and  righteous  altogether — thou  art  good ; 
and  thy  statutes  rejoice  the  heart;  for  in  keeping 
them  there  is  great  reward.  Till  heaven  and  earth 
pass,  one  jot  or  one  tittle  shall  in  nowise  pass  from 
the  law,  until  all  be  fulfilled. 

Incline  me,  O  Lord,  to  take  heed  to  my  ways, 
according  to  thy  word.  Open  thou  mine  eyes,  that 
I  may  behold  wondrous  things  out  of  thy  law. 
Make  thou  thy  testimonies  my  delight  and  counsel- 
lors ;  my  songs  in  the  house  of  my  pilgrimage,  and 
the  daily  monitors  of  my  conduct.  May  I  make 


163 

thy  will  my  meditation  by  day,  and  my  remem- 
brance in  the  night.  Make  it  a  lamp  to  my  feet, 
and  a  light  to  my  path ;  and  do  thou  incline  rny 
heart  to  perform  thy  statutes  always,  even  to  the  end. 
Impress  deeply  on  my  mind  that  solemn  truth — 
whosoever  shall  keep  the  whole  law,  and  yet  offend 
in  one  point,  is  guilty  of  all. 

Lord,  teach  me  that  thy  commandment  is  exceed- 
ing broad  and  deep  :  that  it  has  relation  not  only  to 
the  actions  of  life,  but  to  the  hidden  workings  of 
thought  and  feeling.  For  though  the  sound  of  my 
lips,  and  the  work  of  my  hands,  may  be  right 
before  men ;  yet  thy  statutes  may  condemn  the 
thoughts  of  my  heart ;  and  I  may  stand  more  guilty 
in  thy  sight,  for  secret  sin,  than  for  open  violations 
of  thy  will. 

Heavenly  Father,  let  not  my  regard  for  thy  com- 
mandment create  within  me  a  spirit  of  self-right- 
eousness :  for  in  the  trial  of  thy  justice,  every 
mouth  shall  be  stopped,  and  all  the  world  become 
guilty  before  God.  Make  it  a  schoolmaster  to 
bring  me  to  Christ,  as  my  only  hope  of  justification. 
May  I  remember,  that  while  it  is  the  rule  of  my 
obedience,  it  is  not  the  plan  of  salvation.  He  who 
came  to  fulfil  it,  is  himself  the  end  of  the  law  for 
righteousness,  to  every  one  that  believeth. 

O  Lord,  make  thy  law  the  sword  of  the  Spirit  in 
thy  dealings  with  the  impenitent.  May  it  awaken 
and  alarm  their  consciences,  enlighten  and  convince 
their  minds,  and  persuade  and  sanctify  their  wills  ; 
so  that  they  may  be  born,  not  of  corruptible  seed, 
but  of  incorruptible ;  by  the  word  of  God,  which 
liveth  and  abideth  forever. 


164 

LEVITY. 

Lord,  keep  me  from  levity  of  spirit  and  behaviour. 
Thou  knowest  my  proneness  to  this  sin  ;  and  how 
ready  I  am  to  yield  to  that  frivolity  which  charac- 
terizes the  careless  and  unconverted;  and  which 
is  so  inconsistent  with  the  solemn  realities  of 
the  Christian  life.  Help  me,  I  beseech  thee, 
through  the  Saviour,  to  repent  of  it,  and  so  turn 
away  from  it  in  future,  as  to  avoid  the  appearance 
of  evil. 

Lord,  let  not  my  thoughts  cherish  those  subjects 
which  excite  levity  of  speech  or  action.  I  pray 
thee  especially,  to  lay  a  restraint  on  my  tongue,  that 
unruly  member  ;  and  dispose  me  to  avoid  studiously 
saying  any  thing  which  may  dissipate  serious  im- 
pressions, or  make  me  a  stumbling-block  in  the  path 
of  others,  or  cause  the  ways  of  religion  to  be  de- 
spised or  reviled.  Enable  me  to  attain  and  cultivate 
that  happy  medium  between  moroseness  and  fri- 
volity, that  calm  seriousness  of  mind  and  holy 
cheerfulness  of  life,  which  will  diffuse  a  savour  of 
piety  in  all  I  say  and  do. 

Great  God,  do  thou  show  me  that  the  rational 
faculties  with  which  thou  hast  endowed  me,  were 
given  for  higher  and  holier  purposes,  than  for  indul- 
gence in  a  light  and  frivolous  demeanour. — Seriously 
impress  on  my  mind,  that  a  disposition  to  trifle  is  a 
fruitful  cause  of  disquietude  in  the  soul,  and  of  de- 
linquency in  the  life.  May  I  reflect  that  the  eyes 
of  the  church,  and  of  the  world,  are  upon  me  ;  and 
that  according  as  I  demean  myself,  so  will  the  cause 
of  religion  be  advanced  or  hindered. — Let  a  sense 
of  thy  presence  control  me  to  live  as  one  professing 
godliness. — 0,  incline  me,  I  pray  thee,  to  order  all 


165 

my  walk  and  conversation,  so  that  I  may  be  a  living 
illustration  of  the  sober  influences  of  piety. 

LIBERTY. 

Lord,  increase  my  gratitude  to  thee  for  the  bless- 
ings of  liberty.  While  millions  of  the  human  race  are 
groaning  under  the  yoke  of  oppression,  thou  hast, 
in  undeserved  mercy,  given  to  me  the  privileges  of 
civil  and  religious  freedom.  O  let  me  not  abuse 
them,  nor  deny  them  toothers,  who  are  destitute  of 
them.  Give  me  strong  sympathy  for  the  down- 
trodden of  every  name  and  nation.  Dispose  me  to 
desire,  and  pray,  and  labour  for  the  extension  of 
freedom  to  all  mankind.  Enlighten  the  consciences 
and  cleanse  the  hearts  of  all  men,  in  relation  to  the 
great  doctrines  of  human  rights.  Do  thou  fan,  and 
purify,  and  spread  the  fire  of  truth,  until  it  shall 
melt  off  every  fetter  from  every  limb — until  deliver- 
ance shall  be  preached  to  all  the  captives,  and  li- 
berty be  proclaimed  to  all  the  oppressed. 

O  Lord,  release  men  everywhere,  from  the  bond- 
age of  sin.  Break  the  yoke  of  Satan,  of  the 
world,  and  of  selfishness.  May  thy  Son  make  man- 
kind free,  and  they  shall  be  free  indeed  :  so  shall 
they  be  servants  to  God  only,  that  their  fruit  may  be 
holiness,  and  the  end  everlasting  life. 


Lord,  thou  art  the  Author  and  Owner  of  my  life. 
Apart  from  thy  will,  I  can  have  no  existence  ;  and 
if  it  should  please  thee  to  revoke  my  title  to  being, 
in  that  moment  I  would  be  blotted  from  the  face  of 
creation. — Instruct  me,  I  pray  thee,  in  the  uncer- 
tainty and  shortness  of  human  life.  We  are  but  of 
yesterday,  and  our  days  upon  earth  are  a  shadow. 


166 

Our  breath  is  in  our  nostrils  :  it  is  even  a  vapour, 
that  appeareth  for  a  little  time,  and  then  vanisheth 
away. — Teach  me  that  my  span  of  life  is  given  me 
as  my  probation  for  eternity.  Grant,  therefore, 
that  I  may  walk  circumspectly  ;  redeeming  the  time, 
because  the  days  are  evil.  While  I  grow  in  age, 
enable  me  to  grow  in  grace.  While  I  travel  through 
this  wilderness,  guide  me  by  the  fiery-cloudy  pillar, 
feed  my  hunger  with  manna  from  heaven,  and 
quench  my  thirst  with  water  from  the  smitten  rock. 
Lord,  let  me  not  be  anxious  for  length  of  days  ;  nor 
grow  weary  of  my  season  of  trial.  Make  me  con- 
tented that  my  seasons  are  in  thy  hands,  and  willing 
to  wait  all  the  days  of  my  appointed  time,  till  my 
change  come.  Give  me,  I  beseech  thee,  in  all  the 
vicissitudes  of  life,  such  preparation  of  heart,  that 
whether  I  live,  I  may  live  to  the  Lord  ;  or  whether  I 
die,  I  may  die  to  the  Lord  :  so  that  whether  living 
or  dying,  I  may  be  the  Lord's. 

Heavenly  Father,  may  the  considerations  that  life 
is  short,  and  that  it  involves  the  destinies  of  eternity, 
excite  those  who  are  now  thoughtless  about  their 
eternal  peace,  to  number  their  days,  that  they  may 
apply  their  hearts  unto  wisdom  :  even  that  wisdom 
which  will  lead  them  to  live  for  the  glory  of  him 
who  died  for  their  salvation  ;  and  which  will  also 
prepare  them  to  depart,  and  be  with  Christ,  which 
is  far  better. 

LONG-SUFFERING. — See  Forbearance. 

LORD'S    SUPPER. 

Compassionate  Jehovah,  give  me  lively  percep- 
tions of  the  nature  and  uses  of  that  holy  Supper, 
which  thou  hast  instituted  in  memory  of  the  dying 


167 

Saviour.  May  it  always  be  to  the  eye  of  my  faith, 
a  token  and  pledge  of  a  covenant  of  mercy,  in  the 
blood  of  Christ.  Let  it  ever  be  my  Eucharist — 
my  giving  of  thanks  to  thee,  from  a  heart  overflow- 
ing with  gratitude,  that  thou  didst  recover  man  from 
his  condition  of  sin  and  misery,  by  the  gift  of  a 
Redeemer.  Make  it  my  Passover,  in  which  my 
soul  shall  be  made  joyful,  in  being  exempted  from 
the  wrath  which  abideth  on  the  ungodly.  O  let  it 
be  the  Sacrament  of  that  allegiance  to  thy  cause, 
which  will  lead  me  to  rejoice  when  I  am  counted 
worthy  to  suffer  shame  for  thy  name's  sake ;  and 
to  glory  in  nothing,  save  in  the  cross  of  Christ. 
Make  it  a  Feast,  at  which  he  shall  sup  with  me,  and 
I  with  him  ;  and  in  which  my  heart  shall  be  re- 
freshed by  his  spiritual  presence.  And  O  do  thou 
make  it  a  precious  season  of  Communion,  wherein 
I  shall  hold  fellowship  with  the  Father,  Son,  and 
Holy  Ghost ;  and  be  knit,  with  closer  bands  of 
unity,  to  them  that  are  of  the  household  of  faith. 

Lord  Jesus,  help  me  to  keep  this  ordinance  in  re- 
membrance of  thee.  Give  me  knowledge  to  discern 
thy  body,  and  faith  to  feed  upon  thee.  Grant  me 
repentance,  love,  and  new  obedience  ;  lest  coming 
unworthily,  I  eat  and  drink  judgment  to  myself. 
Make  me  a  partaker  of  thy  body  and  blood,  not  af- 
ter a  corporal  and  carnal  manner,  but  by  faith  ;  with 
all  thy  benefits,  to  my  spiritual  nourishment  and 
growth  in  grace.  Grant  me  comfort  from  this  feast-, 
when  I  am  wounded  by  a  sense  of  sin  ;  for  thou 
wast  revealed  to  take  away  sin  :  give  me  patience 
in  trials  and  afflictions,  by  looking  at  thee,  enduring 
the  contradiction  of  sinners,  and  the  hidings  of  thy 
Father's  love :  and  O  grant  that  I  may  imbibe  a 
holy  hatred  for  transgression,  when  I  look  at  thy 


168 

body  broken  and  thy  blood  shed,  because  I  have 
sinned. — Blessed  Jesus,  crowned  in  light  and  glory, 
dostthou  indeed  desire  us  sinners  to  remember  thee? 

0  that  we  should  ever  forget  thy  matchless,  un- 
speakable claims  to  our  love !     O  help  me  to  re- 
member the  glory  thou  didst  leave,  the  flesh  thou 
didst  adopt,  the  reproach  thou  didst  meet,  and  the 
sufferings   thou  didst  endure,  that  I   might  be  re- 
deemed from  the  curse  of  the  law,  and  be  made  a 
partner  of  thine  inheritance  in  glory !   I  would  learn 
of  thee,  as  my  Prophet ;  I  would  rely  on  thee,  as 
my  Priest ;  I  would  follow  thee,  as  my  Example ; 

1  would  obey  thee,  as  my  King ! 

Heavenly  Father,  make  thy  people  feel  their  ob- 
ligation to  celebrate  the  Supper  of  the  Lord.  Thou 
hast  commanded  it,  and  made  it  the  badge  of  their 
discipleship.  Thou  hast  set  it  forth  to  be  the  me- 
morial of  a  Saviour's  love,  in  which  they  show  forth 
his  death,  before  heaven  and  earth.  And  thou  hast 
made  it  a  special  season  of  communion  with  thee, 
in  thy  banqueting-house,  where  thy  banner  over  them 
is  love. — O  may  they  always  be  prepared  for  this 
service,  by  self-examination,  by  meditation,  and  by 
prayer :  and  so  let  them  eat  of  that  bread,  and  drink 
of  that  cup.  May  they  resolve,  upon  that  sacred 
altar,  that  they  will  renounce  every  transgression, 
and  live  only  for  that  which  is  good  in  thy  sight. 
Give  them  an  affectionate  and  confiding  trust  in  thy 
covenant  of  grace  ;  and  build  them  up,  by  means 
of  this  ordinance,  through  faith,  unto  salvation.— 
God  forbid  that  there  should  be  any  hand  on  the 
table  which  will  betray  the  Son  of  man.  Let  none 
who  thus  profess  thy  name,  be  cast  forth  as  a 
branch  that  is  withered,  and  cast  into  the  fire,  and 
burned ;  but  make  them  all  branches,  that  shall 


169 

abide  in  thee,  bringing  forth  much  fruit,  that  thy 
name  may  be  glorified. 

Lord,  grant  that  the  impenitent  may  reflect,  that 
if  they  eat  not  the  flesh  of  the  Son  of  man,  and 
drink  not  his  blood,  they  shall  have  no  part  nor  lot 
in  his  salvation.  May  thy  Spirit  reveal  Christ  to 
them  in  the  breaking  of  bread,  in  all  his  fulness  and 
willingness  as  a  Saviour.  O  may  they  be  persuaded 
to  make  with  him  a  covenant  of  mercy  and  obedi- 
ence, which  shall  never  be  revoked  nor  forsaken. 

These  petitions  I  offer  thee,  Gracious  Father, 
through  him  whose  blood  speaketh  better  things 
than  that  of  Abel ;  and  who  sitteth  at  thy  right  hand, 
to  make  intercession,  and  receive  the  service  and 
adoration  of  saints  and  angels,  forever. 

LOVE     OF     GOD. 

God  is  love !  Lord,  thou  art  good,  and  thou 
lovest  to  do  good.  The  eyes  of  all  are  unto  thee, 
and  thou  givest  them  their  meat  in  due  season  :  thou 
openest  thy  hand,  and  satisfiest  the  desires  of  every 
living  thing.  Thy  tender  mercies  are  pver  all  thy 
works,  and  thy  goodness  is  seen  in  all  thy  ways. 
But  thou  hast  most  commended  thy  love  to  us,  in 
that  while  we  were  sinners,  Christ  died  for  us. 
Here  it  is  beyond  parallel ;  it  transcends  the  strong- 
est effort  of  thought ;  and  it  is  above  blessing  and 
praise.  This  is  the  bright  and  glorious  centre  of 
thy  good-will  to  man,  around  which  every  other 
token  of  thy  mercy  gathers. — I  would  praise  thee, 
Lord,  for  the  common  and  special  benefits  of  thy 
providence,  and  for  that  wise  arrangement  of  the 
laws  of  nature,  which  promotes  the  happiness  and 
well-being  of  thy  creatures  :  yet  I  would  offer  thee 
louder  strains  of  praise,  and  stronger  feelings  of 
15 


170 

gratitude,  for  thy  compassion  to  our  souls,  in  reveal- 
ing thy  will,  in  teaching  us  the  issues  of  eternity, 
in  giving  thy  Son  to  bear  our  iniquities,  and  in  be- 
stowing thy  Spirit,  to  convince  us  of  sin,  to  enlighten 
our  minds  in  the  knowledge  of  truth,  and  to  per- 
suade us  to  accept  the  plan  of  salvation. — Forbid  it, 
O  God,  that  I  should  ever  forget  or  undervalue  thy 
favours  which  are  past ;  or  that  I  should  doubt  thy 
suretiship  of  compassion  for  the  future.  Continue 
to  manifest  thyself  unto  me,  as  thou  dost  not  unto 
the  world.  Enrich  thou  my  soul  with  the  fulness 
of  thy  love,  now,  henceforth,  and  forever. 

O  Lord,  why  should  there  be  any  so  carnally- 
minded,  as  to  be  enmity  against  thee,  the  God  of 
love  ?  Show  them  thy  rich  goodness,  and  their 
own  dark  ingratitude.  Make  them  feel  that  this 
world  has  no  charms,  when  compared  with  that  full 
tide  of  affection,  which  flows  from  the  heart  of  God 
towards  them  that  put  their  trust  in  him.  O  make 
many  such  the  partners  of  thy  loving-kindness  in 
Jesus,  which  is  unto  eternal  life. 

LOVE    TO    GOD. 

Exalted  Jehovah,  thou  art  worthy,  both  by  thy 
nature  and  dealings,  of  the  strongest  love  of  all  thy 
rational  creatures.  Thou  art  perfect  in  all  the  attri- 
butes of  thy  character.  No  ignorance  impairs  thy 
wisdom  ;  no  error  perverts  thy  justice ;  no  falsehood 
clouds  thy  truth  ;  no  spot  stains  thy  holiness.  Thou 
art,  moreover,  merciful  and  gracious,  long-suffering, 
and  abundant  in  goodness.  O  that  the  language  of 
my  heart  might  always  be — "  Whom  have  I  in 
heaven  but  thee  ;  and  there  is  none  on  earth  I  de- 
sire besides  thee."  Be  thou  my  Alpha  and  Omega  ; 


171 

my  morning  praise  ;  my  noonday  thought ;  my 
evening  prayer  ;  and  my  waking  meditation. 

Blessed  Jesus,  help  me  that  I  may  love  thee  with 
all  my  heart,  and  soul,  and  strength,  and  mind.  I 
desire  to  cherish  the  memory  of  thine  example  and 
instructions,  thy  benevolence  and  promises,  as  the 
dearest  objects  of  thought.  O  may  my  affection 
for  thee  urge  me  to  advance  thy  glory,  to  desire  to 
be  conformed  to  thine  image,  to  seek  communion 
with  thee,  and  to  love  thy  house,  thine  ordinances, 
thy  word,  and  thy  people.  But  let  me  not  think 
that  any  strength  of  attachment  can  merit  thy  love 
to  me  ;  for  O  thine  acceptance  of  my  love  is  one 
of  the  crowning  gifts  of  undeserved  mercy. 

Glorious  God,  may  thy  saints  bring  thee  the  full 
tribute  of  their  hearts.  Let  the  constant  bearing  of 
their  thoughts  be  unto  thee,  and  the  remembrance 
of  thy  name.  Fill  their  hearts  with  gratitude  to 
thee,  and  lead  them  to  seek  thee,  with  delight,  in  all 
the  exercises  of  religion.  May  they  rejoice  in  thy 
word,  as  the  index  of  thy  will ;  and  take  pleasure 
in  thy  people,  as  the  excellent  of  the  earth  ;  and 
seek  the  glory  of  Christ  more  than  the  favour  of 
man,  or  the  love  of  the  world. 

Lord,  bring  those  who  are  now  at  enmity  with 
thee,  to  esteem  and  desire  thee,  as  their  chief  good. 
Cast  out  their  selfishness  and  aversion,  and  take  the 
dominion  of  their  hearts,  that  they  may  be  able  to 
say,  the  Lord  is  their  portion,  and  his  love  the  ful- 
ness of  their  joy. 

LOVE     TO     MAN. 

Lord,  I  pray  thee,  for  Christ's  sake,  to  make  my 
heart  a  wellspring  of  affection  for  all  mankind.  Let 
no  jealousy,  nor  selfishness,  nor  anger,  nor  malice, 


172 

lead  me  to  forget  that  every  man  is  my  brother. 
Thou  makest  thy  sun  to  rise  on  the  evil,  and  on  the 
good  ;  and  sendest  rain  on  the  just,  and  on  the  un- 
just. Why  then  should  I  shut  up  my  compassions 
from  any  that  are  my  fellow-creatures  ?  O  help  me 
to  feel  for  every  want,  and  to  sympathize  with  every 
wo,  that  afflicts  humanity.  And,  I  pray  thee,  dis- 
pose me,  in  benevolence  of  heart,  to  do  what  I  can, 
to  dry  up  the  fountains  of  human  misery,  and  to 
multiply  the  sources  of  man's  real  happiness. 

Lord,  incline  me  to  love  the  souls  of  men.  May 
I  have  strong  pity  for  those  who  are  thoughtlessly 
or  wilfully  destroying  their  eternal  peace  ;  and  may 
I  seek  to  bring  them  under  the  influences  of  the 
blessed  gospel.  Grant  me  that  spirit  which  seek- 
eth  not  her  own,  and  is  not  easily  provoked,  and 
that  rejoiceth  in  the  truth.  Cause  me  to  abound  in 
good-will  to  the  brotherhood  of  faith,  and  to  be 
kindly  affectioned  towards  them  in  brotherly  love. 
May  I  seek  their  company,  and  be  glad  in  their 
prosperity,  and  make  common  cause  with  them  in 
all  their  interests.  Lord,  give  me,  I  pray  thee,  the 
love  of  benevolence  towards  every  thing  that  is  ca- 
pable of  happiness  or  misery,  and  the  affection  of 
complacency  towards  every  creature  possessed  of 
holiness. 

LUKEWARMNESS. 

Lord,  I  pray  thee,  through  thy  grace  in  Jesus,  to 
preserve  me  from  lukewarmness  in  my  religious 
duties.  Make  me  feel  an  interest  in  them  propor- 
tioned to  their  unspeakable  importance.  Let  no 
worldly  influence,  no  allurement  Of  Satan,  no  self- 
ish desires,  lower  the  tone  of  my  religious  feeling 
and  activity.  How  long,  O  Lord,  shall  I  serve  thee 


173 

with  an  indifferent  heart — thee,  who  hast  infinite 
claims  on  my  most  ardent  attachment,  and  whose 
service  should  be  my  chief  delight.  O  rebuke  my 
apathy,  and  fill  me  with  a  holy  zeal.  Make  me 
fervent  in  spirit ;  and  whatsoever  my  hand  finds  to 
do,  dispose  me  to  do  it  with  my  might.  Let  thy 
Spirit  that  quickeneth,  give  me  life,  and  cause  me 
to  mount  up  with  wings,  as  eagles  ;  to  run,  and  not 
be  weary  ;  to  walk,  and  not  faint. 

LUNATICS. 

Lo,  the  inspiration  of  the  Almighty  giveth  un- 
derstanding to  man!  Lord,  show  me  the  beauty 
and  value  of  the  gift  of  reason ;  which  thou  hast 
made  in  thine  own  image  ;  and  by  which  I  am  fitted 
to  learn  thy  character,  to  meditate  on  thy  works,  to 
understand  my  duties,  and  to  enjoy  happiness.  Let 
my  regard  and  gratitude  for  this  blessing,  and  for 
the  preservation  of  it,  be  excited  by  the  melancholy 
fact,  that  it  has  been  denied  to  many  of  my  fellow- 
creatures. 

Lord,  behold  in  mercy  those  whose  balance  of 
intellect  has  been  broken,  and  who  have  become  the 
sport  of  their  own  deranged  judgment.  Do  thou 
restrain  them  from  doing  injury  to  themselves,  or 
to  others.  Let  them  not  be  made  the  objects  of 
merriment  and  annoyance  by  the  thoughtless ;  but 
of  the  pity  and  care  of  the  humane.  I  bless  thee 
that  in  the  prevalence  of  gospel  humanity,  asylums 
for  the  protection  and  cure  of  the  insane,  have  been 
established,  from  which  many  of  these  victims  of 
derangement  have  gone  forth,  clothed,  and  in  their 
right  minds  ;  while  those  who  have  remained,  as 
incurable,  possess  every  earthly  comfort,  compatible 
with  the  loss  of  reason.  Do  thou  multiply  the 
15* 


174 

number  of  these  institutions,  and  cause  them  to  be 
sustained  by  liberal  patronage.  Increase  the  kind- 
ness and  skill  of  those  who  manage  them.  And, 
Lord,  let  the  rapid  progress  of  knowledge  include, 
in  its  discoveries,  such  remedies  as  shall  dissolve 
the  fetters  that  imprison  and  pervert  these  immortal 
minds,  and  give  them  the  freedom  and  joy  of  in- 
telligent and  virtuous  wisdom. 

Gracious  God,  provide,  in  thy  mercy,  for  those 
who  shall  go  down  through  life,  to  the  gates  of 
death,  without  the  cheering  and  guiding  torch  of 
reason.  O  let  the  darkness  and  disquietude  which 
afflicted  them  here,  give  place  to  the  light  and  bless- 
edness of  that  region,  where  they  shall  know,  even 
as  they  are  known. 

LUXURY. 

Heavenly  Father,  guard  me  against  indulging  in 
luxury.  Let  me  not  seek  to  make  provision  for  the 
flesh,  to  fulfil  the  lust  of  the  eye,  or  the  pride  of 
life.  Let  not  my  desires  go  out  in  anxious  pursuit 
of  what  I  shall  eat,  or  drink,  or  wherewithal  I  shall 
be  clothed  ;  nor  be  unduly  set  on  any  of  the  pomps 
of  sense,  or  vanities  of  life.  May  I  use  this  world 
as  not  abusing  it;  remembering  that  a  man's  life 
consists  not  in  the  abundance  of  the  things  he  pos- 
sesses. Teach  me  that  earthly  indulgences  excite 
pride  and  sensuality ;  and  that  instead  of  satisfying 
the  heart,  they  increase,  continually,  its  restless  de- 
sires for  unprofitable  and  corrupting  enjoyments. 
Lord,  thou  wilt  require  it  of  the  souls  of  those  who 
lay  up  treasures  for  themselves,  but  are  not  rich  to- 
wards God.  O  let  me  not  desire  to  live  in  pleasure 
on  the  earth,  nor  nourish  my  heart  as  in  a  day  of 
slaughter.  Make  me  content  with  a  competent 


175 

portion  of  the  good  things  of  this  life  ;  and  let  me 
enjoy  thy  blessing  with  them.  Show  me  that  health 
of  body,  peace  of  mind,  and  ability  and  willingness 
to  do  good  to  others,  will  depend  on  my  abstinence 
from  fleshly  lusts. — Lord,  be  thou  to  me  more  than 
all  thine  other  gifts.  Incline  me  to  lay  up  treasure 
in  heaven,  that  there  my  heart  may  be  also. 

M  AL  ICE. 

Lord,  keep  my  heart  from  the  occasional  or  fre- 
quent influence  of  malice.  Let  no  rivalry  and  no 
sense  of  injury,  ever  excite  me  to  feelings  or  acts 
of  malignity.  O  how  infinitely  is  such  a  temper 
opposed  to  thy  holiness  ;  and  how  nearly  does  it 
approach  to  the  hatred  which  fills  the  bosoms  of 
the  damned  ! — Blessed  Jesus,  bring  me  into  closer 
likeness  to  thy  precious  example.  Thou  didst  not 
render  railing  for  railing,  nor  evil  for  evil;  but  con- 
trariwise, blessing.  O  give  me,  I  pray  thee,  that 
spirit  of  love  which  worketh  no  ill  to  its  neighbour; 
and  which  looks  on  the  earth,  in  all  its  length  and 
breadth,  as  one  neighbourhood — and  on  all  its  diver- 
sified races,  as  one  brotherhood  of  man. 

MA  RRI  AGE. 

Heavenly  Parent,  thou  hast  shown  both  thy  wis- 
dom and  goodness  in  the  institution  of  marriage. 
Thou  hast  sought  by  it  to  increase  the  happiness, 
and  promote  the  virtue  of  mankind.  The  works 
of  thy  creation,  though  good  in  thy  sight,  were  unfi- 
nished, while  man  dwelt  alone  ;  and  thy  last  and 
best  gift  to  earth,  was  she  that  should  be  a  fountain 
of  joy,  a  partner  of  pleasure,  and  a  solace  of  sor- 
row. Lord,  teach  all  men  that  this  relation  of 


176 

life  is  still  (and  must  be  throughout  the  annals  of 
time,)  identified  with  the  comfort  and  welfare  of  our 
race.  O  let  none  with  ruthless  and  impious  hand, 
undermine  nor  overthrow  this  ordinance  of  God  ; 
but  may  all  regard  and  sustain  it  as  the  safeguard 
of  purity,  the  pledge  of  social  bliss,  and  the  bond 
of  public  good. 

Lord,  reform  the  opinions  and  correct  the  practice" 
of  Christians  in  relation  to  unhallowed  marriages. 
Let  none  such  be  unequally  yoked  with  unbelievers. 
May  they  marry  only  in  the  Lord.  Show  them 
that  those  who  ally  themselves  in  sacred  ties  with 
the  ungodly,  rebel  against  the  will  of  God,  cast 
snares  and  unhappiness  in  their  way  through  life, 
and  fearfully  hinder  the  grace  of  God  in  their  own 
hearts. 

Lord,  govern  by  the  dictates  of  affection,  pru- 
dence, and  piety,  those  who  would  enter  on  the 
duties  and  pleasures  of  matrimony. — Bless  all  who 
have  embarked  on  them.  May  their  relations  be 
characterized  by  mutual  love,  esteem,  forbearance, 
assistance,  and  sympathy.  May  the  same  sincere, 
ardent,  unchangeable,  protecting,  and  providing 
love,  which  the  Saviour  manifests  to  his  spouse, 
the  church,  be  shown  by  the  husband  to  his  wife. 
And  dothou  direct  her  conduct  to  him  in  subjection, 
reverence,  prudence,  and  love.  Lord,  make  their 
union  conducive  to  every  rational  good  of  human 
life.  Let  it  be  an  emblem  of  the  union  between 
Christ  and  his  church  ;  that  they  may  walk  in  all 
the  statutes  and  ordinances  of  the  Lord,  blameless, 
and  be  made  mutual  helpers  in  the  fellowship  of 
the  gospel  of  Jesus  ChrisU 


177 

MASTERS. 

O  thou,  who  art  King  of  Kings  and  Lord  of 
Lords,  bless  those  who  occupy  places  of  authority 
over  their  inferiors.  Teach  them  the  duties  of  their 
stations.  Induce  masters  to  give  that  which  is  just 
and  equal  to  their  servants,  in  every  thing  that  re- 
lates to  courtesy,  recompense,  and  good-will.  May 
they  forbear  threatening,  knowing  that  their  Master 
is  in  heaven,  and  that  with  him  there  is  no  respect 
of  persons.  May  they  reflect  that  though  their  ser- 
vants are  inferior  in  rank,  they  are  their  equals  by 
nature,  equals  in  the  grave,  and  equals  at  the  throne 
of  judgment. — Show  them  that  the  labourer  is  wor- 
thy of  his  hire  :  and  let  no  honest  wages  be  kept 
back  by  meanness  or  fraud ;  lest  the  cry  of  the  hire- 
ling enter  into  the  ears  of  the  Lord  God  of  Sabaoth, 
and  thou  render  vengeance  for  unrequited  toil. — 
Lord,  incline  the  hearts  of  masters  to  kindness. 
Make  them  careful  to  avoid  unjust  exactions  of  la- 
bour, and  every  display  of  the  pride  of  rank  and 
authority.  Give  them  patience  under  provocation  ; 
and  lead  them  to  seek  every  reasonable  comfort  for 
their  domestics.  And  above  all,  may  they  strive  to 
promote  their  spiritual  welfare,  by  setting  them  a 
godly  example,  by  giving  them  full  access  to  the 
means  of  grace,  and  by  personal  exertions,  that  they 
may  become  the  servants  of  God,  and  heirs  of  that 
recompense  of  reward,  which  liveth  and  abideth  for- 
ever. 

ME  ANS      OF      GRA  CE. 

Lord,  I  thank  thee  for  those  means  of  grace 
which  thou  hast  appointed  for  the  instruction  and 
conviction,  conversion  and  sanctification  of  man- 
kind. O  bless  me,  I  pray  thee,  in  the  enjoyment 


178 

of  them.  Make  the  Holy  Scriptures  profitable  to 
me  for  doctrine,  reproof,  correction,  and  instruction 
in  righteousness.  Let  thy  preached  gospel  bring 
me  glad  tidings  of  good  things.  May  I  hallow  thy 
Sabbaths,  and  make  them  my  delight.  Make  thy 
sacraments  times  of  refreshing  from  thy  presence. 
O  cause  the  exercises  of  public,  social,  and  private 
prayer  to  make  me  feel  my  wants,  and  thine  infinite 
fulness  and  willingness  to  supply  them.  May  I 
sing  thy  praises  with  melody  of  heart.  Give  me 
grace  to  keep  the  season  of  fasting  or  of  thanksgiv- 
ing, so  that  it  may  be  a  time  of  refreshing  from  thy 
presence.  Grant  me  the  sanctified  use  of  meditation 
and  self-examination  ;  and  lead  me  to  such  fellow- 
ship with  thy  saints,  as  will  strengthen  my  heart 
and  encourage  my  zeal  in  the  Christian  race. 

Blessed  God,  I  humbly  pray  thee,  that  I  may  use 
these  privileges  only  as  the  means,  and  not  as  the 
end,  of  religion.  Make  me  regard  them  as  the  chan- 
nels through  which  thou  dost  vouchsafe  to  pour  the 
refreshing  streams  of  thy  grace.  It  is  the  Spirit 
which  gives  efficacy  to  all  the  appointments  of  thy 
mercy.  O  Lord,  make  me  understand  that  while  I 
work  out  my  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling,  it 
is  thou  who  workest  in  me,  both  to  will  and  to  do, 
of  thine  own  good  pleasure. 

MEDIATOR. 

Heavenly  Father,  I  would  praise  and  magnify 
thy  name,  that  thou  hast  laid  help  upon  One,  who 
is  mighty  to  save,  unto  the  uttermost,  all  who  come 
unto  thee  by  him.  Though  the  human  race  was  at 
enmity  with  thee,  and  lay  exposed  to  thy  curse, 
thou  didst,  in  infinite  mercy,  appoint  an  Interposer 
between  thee  and  us,  that  we,  who  were  alienated 


179 

and  enemies  by  wicked  works,  might  be  reconciled 
in  the  body  of  his  flesh,  through  death.  We  thank 
thee  that  we  are  not  called  to  that  mountain  which 
burned  with  fire,  and  was  clouded  with  darkness 
and  tempest ;  but  to  Jesus  the  Mediator  of  the  new 
covenant,  and  to  that  blood  of  sprinkling,  which 
speaketh  better  things  than  that  of  Abel.  O,  it  was 
needful  that  he  should  be  the  Son  of  God ;  for  no 
other  sacrifice  could  satisfy  the  demands  of  infinite 
justice — and  he  must  needs  be  the  Son  of  man ; 
since  without  the  shedding  of  blood,  there  is  no  re- 
mission of  sins.  He  who  is  our  eternal  Daysman, 
has  infinite  fitness  for  his  high  and  holy  office  :  for 
in  him  dwells  the  fulness  of  power,  wisdom,  and 
mercy ! 

Blessed  Jesus,  be  thou  the  propitiation  for  my 
sins  ;  and  not  for  mine  only,  but  also  for  the  whole 
world.  O  thou  who  didst  become  the  High-Priest 
of  thine  own  sacrifice,  to  make  reconciliation  for 
the  sins  of  the  people,  do  thou  blot  out  the  hand- 
writing of  ordinances  that  was  recorded  against  me, 
for  my  transgressions — procure  for  me,  by  thine  in- 
tercession, the  loving  kindness  of  Jehovah — and 
bind  all  my  affections  to  the  throne  of  grace,  by 
that  new,  and  better,  and  everlasting  covenant, 
which  is  the  fruit  of  thy  wisdom  and  mercy,  and  the 
work  of  thy  power  and  grace,  unto  salvation. — Hea- 
venly Father,  make  the  words  of  my  mouth,  and 
the  meditations  of  my  heart,  and  the  service  of  my 
life,  acceptable  to  thee,  through  him  who  is  my 
Strength  and  my  Redeemer. 

MEDITATION. 

Blessed  Jehovah,  enable  me  to  withdraw  my 
thoughts  and  desires,  at  frequent  seasons,  from  the 


180 

things  that  are  seen  and  temporal,  and  to  fix  them 
on  those  that  are  unseen  and  eternal.  O  may  thy 
character,  in  all  its  variety  and  fulness,  be  a  rich 
topic  of  my  meditation.  Grant  me  holy  and  ex- 
alted converse  with  thine  attributes,  as  they  are  re- 
vealed in  thy  word,  and  in  thy  works  of  creation, 
providence,  and  redemption. — May  Jesus  be  to  my 
soul,  the  chief  among  ten  thousand,  and  one  alto- 
gether lovely. — Draw  out  my  thoughts,  sweetly  and 
confidingly,  to  that  Holy  Spirit,  whose  work  is  qui- 
etness and  assurance  forever. — May  I  love  to  dwell 
upon  the  law  of  thy  mouth ;  and  do  thou  make  it 
better  to  me  than  thousands  of  gold  and  silver. — 
Teach  me  in  these  hours  of  reflection,  my  weakness 
and  sinfulness,  and  the  means  by  which  I  may  grow 
in  grace,  and  advance  the  various  interests  of  thy 
kingdom. — Help  me,  O  Lord,  to  fix  my  thoughts 
on  the  shortness  of  time,  the  certainty  of  death,  and 
the  undying  worth  of  the  soul. 

Lord,  grant  me  the  presence  and  blessing  of  thy 
Spirit,  in  these  solemn  meditations.  May  the  peace 
of  God,  which  passeth  understanding,  fill  my  heart 
and  make  it  a  fountain  of  love  to  God,  and  of  good- 
will to  man.  May  my  knowledge  be  refreshed  and 
enlarged.  While  I  muse  on  holy  things,  cause  the 
fire  to  burn  within  me,  until  the  dross  of  sin  be  con- 
sumed, and  my  soul  be  as  gold  that  has  been  tried 
in  the  furnace.  O  vouchsafe  unto  me,  rich  foretastes 
of  those  heavenly  contemplations,  where  no  cloud 
of  sense,  nor  of  sin,  shall  shut  out  the  light  of  thy 
presence,  and  where  there  are  pleasures  for  ever- 
more. 


181 


MEEKNESS, 

Merciful  God,  impart  to  me  the  grace  of  meek- 
ness. Preserve  me  from  the  exercise  of  a  violent 
and  overbearing  temper.  Break  down  the  native 
stubbornness  and  resentment  of  my  heart ;  and  give 
me  that  childlike  spirit,  which  knows  no  will  but 
that  of  its  heavenly  Father.  Bestow  on  me  that 
temper  of  soul,  which  seeketh  not  its  own  selfish 
good ;  that  is  not  easily  provoked  by  injury  ;  and 
that  hopeth  all  things,  before  it  thinketh  evil  of  any 
one.  May  this  state  of  rnind  be  the  working  of  thy 
Spirit,  teaching  me  that  I  am,  in  myself,  weak  and 
sinful,  and  thatthou  requirest  meekness  of  spirit  in 
all  that  would  be  followers  of  Christ :  for  if  any 
man  have  not  the  spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of  his. 
Show  me  that  this  grace  is  an  ornament  of  great 
price  in  thy  sight ;  and  that  he  who  ruleth  his  own 
spirit  is  greater  than  he  who  taketh  a  city  ;  and  that 
he  findeth  rest  for  his  soul,  in  learning  of  him  who 
was  meek  and  lowly  in  heart.  Lord,  excite  me  to 
seek  this  heavenly  mind,  by  considering  the  exam- 
ples of  the  patriarchs  and  prophets,  of  the  apostles, 
and  Jesus  Christ,  who  manifested  it.  O  grant  me 
the  blessings  of  the  meek ;  whom  thou  guidest  in 
judgment,  and  beautifiest  with  salvation,  and  makest 
the  dwelling-place  of  thy  power  and  mercy. 

MEMORY. 

Lord,  invigorate  and  sanctify,  for  Jesus'  sake,  all 
the  exercises  of  my  memory.  O  how  has  this 
noble  faculty  been  weakened  and  corrupted  by  the 
fail !  But  thou  canst  restore  it ;  and  instead  of  suf- 
fering it  to  run  after  forbidden  and  unholy  things, 
thou  canst  give  it  employment  in  those  things  which 
16 


182 

belong  to  wisdom  and  salvation.  Lead  me,  I  pray 
thee,  to  remember  thee,  my  Creator,  and  all  thine 
excellent  mercies.  May  my  memory  be  precious 
of  him  who  is  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life.  Im- 
press indelibly  on  my  thoughts,  the  doctrines,  pre- 
cepts, warnings,  and  promises  of  thy  word.  Make 
me  mindful  of  my  transgressions,  and  let  my  sin  be 
ever  before  me.  Enable  me  to  bring  up  in  review, 
the  covenants  and  promises  I  have  made  to  thee ; 
and  lead  me  to  pay  unto  thee  my  vows. 

O  Lord,  preserve  me  from  every  thing,  moral  or 
physical,  that  will  weaken  or  deprave  my  memory. 
Lead  me  to  the  use  of  such  means  as  will  promote 
its  strength  and  purity.  May  I  regard  and  value  it 
as  the  storehouse  of  knowledge  and  comfort ;  the 
spring  of  repentance  and  hope  ;  and  the  monitor  of 
thankfulness  and  faith.  May  it  retain  that  which 
is  good,  and  banish  that  which  is  evil.  Dispose  me 
to  practice  every  holy  thing  it  remembers  ;  arid 
grant  that  I  may  so  use  this  noble  power,  that  I 
may  glorify  thee  in  my  body  and  spirit,  which  are 
thine. 

MERCY. 

Great  Giver  of  every  good  and  perfect  gift,  grant 
me  a  sanctifying  and  saving  knowledge  of  thy  mer- 
cy. O  thou  art  good  and  gracious  ;  slow  to  anger, 
and  plenteous  in  mercy.  Yet  thou  hast  a  perfect 
right  to  withhold  it  from  us — yea,  to  visit  us  with 
unmixed  and  irretrievable  evil,  for  we  are  not  only 
unworthy  of  the  least  expression  of  thy  goodness, 
but  we  have  deserved  the  severe  retributions  of  thy 
wrath.  Nevertheless,  thy  goodness  has  pursued  us 
in  all  the  walks  of  life.  It  has  stayed,  or  soothed, 
or  healed  the  inflictions  of  merited  evil ;  and  it  has 


183 

bestowed  on  us  uncounted  tokens  of  unmerited 
good.  When  we  have  been  thoughtless  of  thee, 
thou  hast  been  mindful  of  us  :  when  we  hated  thee, 
thou  hast  loved  us.  Verily,  thou  art  long-suffering, 
and  abundant  in  compassion.  Thou  dost  not  mete 
unto  man  evil  for  evil ;  but  dost  crown  him  with 
loving-kindness  and  tender  mercy. 

O  that  my  memory  could  retain,  and  that  my 
heart  could  properly  value,  the  long  catalogue  of 
thine  affectionate  dealings  with  me.  Thou  hast 
watched  over  me  by  night,  and  guarded  me  by  day  ; 
thou  hast  preserved  me  in  health,  and  healed  me  in 
sickness ;  thou  hast  chosen  for  me  the  changes  of 
life,  and  hast  suited  me  to  them  :  and  more  than  all 
things  else,  thou  hast  given  our  race  that  mercy  of 
Christ,  whereby  the  dayspring  from  on  high  hath 
visited  us,  with  healing  in  its  beams.  Lord,  enable 
me  to  cherish  a  suitable  estimate  of  thy  goodness. 
May  it  lead  me  to  love  thee,  and  to  do  thy  will — 
may  it  succour  me  when  I  am  tempted,  and  comfort 
me  when  I  am  grieved. — May  it  strengthen  me  in 
the  hour  of  death,  and  be  the  song  of  my  rejoicing 
throughout  the  ages  of  eternity. 

Compassionate  Father,  deal  not  in  strict  justice 
with  those  who  are  now  rejecting  thy  mercy.  Say 
not  in  thy  wrath,  that  they  shall  not  enter  thy  rest. 
Make  them  hear  thy  tender  and  oft-repeated  entreat- 
ies to  turn  from  their  wickedness,  whilst  thou  art 
waiting  to  be  gracious.  Display  to  them  the  riches 
and  fulness  of  that  compassion,  which  brings  the 
Sovereign  of  heaven  to  plead  with  them,  and  to 
pursue  them,  in  their  obstinacy,  with  so  many  ex- 
pressions of  love.  Extend  to  them  thy  golden 
sceptre  of  grace,  that  they  may  touch  it,  and  live. 
O,  forsake  them  not ;  but  multiply  thy  mercies  upon 


184 

them,  until  their  hardness  of  heart  shall  be  melted 
down,  in  humble  sorrow  and  love — until  their  re- 
bellious wills  shall  be  brought  to  serve  the  living 
and  true  God. 

MILLENNIUM. 

Great  God,  rejoice  my  heart  with  frequent  and 
thankful  contemplations  of  that  millennial  glory, 
when  thy  name  shall  be  great  among  the  heathen, 
and  when  thou  wilt  give  them  to  thy  Son,  for  his 
inheritance,  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth,  for 
his  possession.  Then  thou  wilt  pour  out  thy  Holy 
Spirit  without  measure,  and  darkness  and  trans- 
gression will  be  supplanted  by  light  and  obedience. 
Love  to  God  and  love  to  man,  will  fill  the  hearts  of 
all  the  dwellers  on  earth  :  they  shall  beat  their 
swords  into  ploughshares,  and  their  spears  into 
pruninghooks  :  nation  shall  not  lift  up  sword  against 
nation,  neither  shall  they  learn  war  any  more. 
Then  there  will  be  no  clashing  of  sects  ;  for  there 
will  be  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptism.  The  hea- 
vens shall  give  their  dew  ;  the  earth  shall  give  her 
increase  ;  the  parched  ground  shall  become  a  pool ; 
and  the  desert  shall  blossom  as  the  rose.  They 
shall  teach  no  more  every  man  his  neighbour,  and 
every  man  his  brother,  saying,  "  Know  the  Lord  ;'* 
for  they  shall  know  thee,  from  the  least  of  them 
unto  the  greatest  of  them.  The  mountain  of  the 
house  of  the  Lord  shall  be  established  in  the  top  of 
the  mountains,  and  be  exalted  above  the  hills.  O 
then  there  will  be  great  voices  in  heaven,  saying, 
"  The  kingdoms  of  the  world  are  become  the  king- 
doms of  the  Lord,  and  of  his  Christ,  and  he  shall 
reign  forever  and  ever !" 

Lord,  teach  all  thy  people  the  duties  that  belong 


185 

to  them,  In  reference  to  the  coming  of  that  glorious 
season.  May  they  trim  their  lamps,  and  keep  their 
lights  burning,  and  be  ready  at  the  advent  of  their 
Master.  But  do  thou  show  them  that  his  glorious 
appearing  will  be  by  the  instrumentality  of  the 
sanctified  and  intelligent  efforts  of  his  church.  O 
induce  them  to  desire  it  ardently,  to  pray  for  it  fer- 
vently, to  hope  for  it  believingly,  and  to  labour  for 
it  diligently,  in  all  those  measures  which  thou  hast 
been  pleased  to  institute,  as  the  means  of  accom- 
plishing it.  Bless  all  their  works  of  faith,  and 
labours  of  love.  O  hasten  thy  glorious  dominion. 
Spread  it  from  pole  to  pole,  from  sea  to  sea,  and 
from  the  river  unto  the  ends  of  the  earth ;  and  fill 
the  wide  world  with  thy  knowledge,  even  as  the 
waters  cover  the  sea. 

MINISTRY. 

Great  Author  and  Dispenser  of  Truth,  bless  those 
whom  thou  hast  set  to  preach  the  everlasting  gos- 
pel, and  to  bring  glad  tidings  of  good  things.  Thou 
hast  not  sent  us  the  ministry  of  angels,  but  of  men  ; 
and  hast  given  us  this  treasure  in  earthen  vessels, 
that  the  excellency  of  the  power  might  be  of  God. 
It  has  pleased  thee,  by  that  which  the  world  calls 
the  foolishness  of  preaching,  to  save  them  that  be- 
lieve. 

Lord  of  the  Vineyard,  let  none  take  upon  them 
this  holy  office,  who  are  unfit  for  its  sacred  duties, 
in  body,  mind,  or  spirit.  Yet  do  thou  call  out  and 
prepare  many,  very  many,  who  thou  knowest  are 
meet  for  the  divine  work  of  saving  souls.  Qualify 
those  who  are  now  ambassadors  for  Christ,  and 
enable  them  to  persuade  sinners  to  be  reconciled  to 
God.  Make  them  men  of  strong  and  cultivated 
16* 


186 

judgment ;  of  diligent  and  persevering  study  ;  of 
zealous  and  faithful  labour ;  and  of  prayerful,  fer- 
vent, and  consistent  piety.  Make  them  as  the  voice 
of  him  that  cried  in  the  wilderness,  "  Prepare  ye 
the  way  of  the  Lord;  make  his  paths  straight." 
May  they  be  themselves  instructed  unto  the  king- 
dom of  heaven,  and  bring  forth  out  of  their  treasure, 
things  new  and  old.  Cause  them  to  exemplify  their 
doctrine  by  a  holy  walk.  Preserve  them  from  the 
desire  of  applause,  and  the  love  of  lucre.  Let  them 
not  confer  with  flesh  and  blood.  Bestow  on  them 
a  mouth  and  wisdom  which  their  enemies  shall  not 
be  able  to  gainsay  nor  resist.  Give  them  grace  to 
speak  thy  word  with  all  boldness ;  keeping  back 
nothing  that  is  profitable  ;  shunning  not  to  declare 
all  the  counsel  of  God ;  and  having  this  record, 
that  they  are  pure  from  the  blood  of  all  men. 

O  Lord,  bring  them  before  their  flocks  in  the  ful- 
ness of  the  blessing  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  Dis- 
pose them  to  give  themselves  continually  to  prayer, 
and  the  ministry  of  the  word.  Lead  them  to 
proclaim  the  gospel,  not  only  in  the  sanctuary,  but 
from  house  to  house.  May  their  preaching  be  in 
demonstration  of  the  Spirit,  and  of  power.  Let  thy 
pleasure  prosper  in  their  hands,  and  thy  word  have 
free  course,  and  be  glorified.  May  they  seek  dili- 
gently to  bring  the  religion  of  their  people  up  to  the 
standard  of  the  Bible — to  the  measure  of  the  faith 
once  delivered  to  the  saints.  Give  them  power  to 
alarm  the  guilty  consciences,  and  to  persuade  the 
stubborn  wills,  of  the  impenitent.  Constrain  them 
to  watch,  as  those  who  must  give  an  account  of 
their  stewardship.  Let  them  not  be  compelled  to 
say,  "All  day  long,  we  have  stretched  forth  our 
hands  unto  a  disobedient  and  gainsaying  people :" 


187 

nor  to  ask  in  despair,  "  Who  hath  believed  our 
report,  and  to  whom  is  the  arm  of  the  Lord  re- 
vealed ?*'  O  make  them  guides  of  the  blind,  and 
lights  of  them  which  are  in  darkness.  Grant  that 
by  their  efforts,  revivals  of  pure  and  undefiled  reli- 
gion shall  prevail,  to  cleanse  thy  church,  and  to 
save  perishing  sinners. 

Shepherd  of  Israel,  incline  thy  people  to  dis- 
charge the  duties  they  owe  to  the  messengers  of  thy 
word.  May  they  remember  that  the  labourer  is 
worthy  of  his  hire,  and  that  they  who  preach  the 
gospel,  should  live  of  the  gospel.  May  they  pro- 
perly appreciate  the  office  of  those  that  are  over  them 
in  the  Lord,  and  esteem  such  very  highly,  in  love, 
for  their  works'  sake.  Make  them  careful  to  main- 
tain all  the  institutions  of  thy  word.  May  they 
listen  to  the  preached  message  with  the  preparation 
of  heart,  the  culture  of  prayer,  the  hearing  of  faith, 
and  the  purpose  of  obedience  :  receiving  with  meek- 
ness the  engrafted  word,  as  that  which  ministers 
grace  to  the  hearers.  Blessed  Lord,  excite  them  to 
sustain  thy  ministering  servants  by  their  interces- 
sory prayers,  that  thou  wouldst  make  them  wise  as 
serpents,  and  harmless  as  doves — that  thou  wouldst 
enable  them  to  turn  many  to  righteousness,  who 
shall  be  as  stars  in  the  crowns  of  their  rejoicing,  at 
the  last  day. 

Lord,  give  to  every  destitute  flock,  a  pastor  after 
thine  own  heart,  who  shall  go  in  and  out  before  his 
people  in  righteousness  and  zeal.  Send  thy  mes- 
sengers of  mercy  to  those  who  are  perishing  for 
lack  of  knowledge.  O  raise  up,  and  qualify,  and 
send  forth  those  who  shall  teach  all  nations,  bap- 
tizing them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  Son,  and 
Holy  Ghost :  and  be  thou  with  them  always,  even 
unto  the  end  of  the  world.  Amen. 


188 

MISSIONS. — See  Heathen,  Idolatry,  Home  Mis- 
sions. 

MOHAMMEDANS. 

Lord,  look  in  mercy  on  the  followers  of  the  False 
Prophet,  whose  system  of  blood  and  sensuality  has 
dragged  into  the  net  of  delusion  and  death,  so  many 
millions  of  the  human  family.  Thou  seest  how 
they  have  usurped  the  seats  of  the  early  triumphs 
of  the  gospel ;  and  how  they  are  trampling  under- 
foot conscience  and  liberty,  in  the  scenes  where 
Jesus  and  his  apostles  taught,  and  toiled,  and  died 
for  the  blessed  truth  of  God.  O  Lord,  open  a  great 
and  effectual  door  of  access  to  this  people,  through 
which  the  chariot  of  thy  gospel  may  go  forth,  con- 
quering and  to  conquer.  Subdue  their  prejudice 
and  bigotry ;  destroy  their  licentiousness  and  love 
of  carnage  ;  supplant  their  pride  and  superstition  ; 
and  on  the  ruins  of  this  dominion  of  sin,  build  that 
kingdom  of  righteousness,  which  is  peace  on  earth 
and  good-will  to  men. 

MORNING. 

O  God,  thou  art  my  God  ;  early  will  I  seek  thee. 
I  thank  thee  for  peaceful  and  refreshing  sleep,  and 
for  the  returning  light  of  the  morning.  Lift  thou  on 
my  soul,  the  light  of  thy  reconciled  and  lifegiving 
countenance.  May  my  heart  rejoice  in  the  daily 
renewals  of  thy  love,  even  as  the  springing  grass 
rejoices  in  the  reviving  visits  of  the  morning  sun. 
O  cause  my  first  awakings  of  thought — my  earliest 
desires,  to  fix  on  thee,  and  the  remembrance  of  thy 
name. — Whilst  I  have  slept  in  quiet  comfort,  many 
have  been  racked  by  pain  or  disease  ;  or  disturbed 
by  fear  or  calamity  ;  or  suddenly  called  to  the  retri- 


189 

butions  of  eternity. — Grant  me  grace,  for  Christ's 
sake,  to  meet  and  discharge  the  duties  of  this  day. 
Be  thou  my  guide  and  protector,  in  the  midst  of 
them.  Let  me  not  undertake  any  thing  which  is 
not  agreeable  to  thee.  Dispose  me  to  follow  all  my 
occupations  in  the  world  with  a  heavenly  mind. 
May  t  use  this  world,  as  not  abusing  it ;  and  pass 
through  things  temporal,  so  as  not  to  forget  nor 
forfeit  the  things  eternal.  Enable  me  to  make  this 
life  my  journey  to  my  everlasting  home. 

O  Lord,  let  a  conviction  of  thy  presence  and  of 
my  accountability,  pursue  me  in  my  worldly  busi- 
ness, and  render  me  subservient  to  thy  will.  Pro- 
tect me  from  folly,  error,  and  sin.  Make  me  kind, 
forbearing,  and  just  in  all  my  intercourse  with  man- 
kind. Preserve  me  from  exercising  selfishness, 
deceit,  or  ill-wilt,  towards  any  one.  Be  pleased, 
Gracious  God,  to  make  the  allotments  of  thy  provi- 
dence towards  me  this  day,  such  as  may  not  tempt 
me  to  evil ;  but  such  as  will  work  together  for  my 
good.  Guard  my  thoughts,  that  they  may  not  tam- 
per with  sin  ;  arid  my  lips,  that  I  offend  not  with 
my  tongue ;  and  my  feet,  that  they  wander  not  in 
forbidden  paths.  Grant  me  disposition  and  leisure 
to  retire  from  the  world,  to  hold  sweet  and  profita- 
ble communion  with  thee,  at  thy  throne  of  grace. 
And,  O  may  I  find  at  the  close  of  this  day,  that 
while  I  have  been  drawn  so  much  nearer  eternity, 
I  have  been  suitably  advanced  in  meetness  for  the 
inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light. 

MOTHE  RS. 

Heavenly  Parent,  bless,  for  the  glory  of  Christ, 
the  maternal  relation.  Thou  hast  been  pleased  to 
assign  to  mothers,  more  than  to  any  other  class,  the 


190 

moulding  influences,  which  determine  the  character 
and  destinies  of  children,  for  time  and  eternity. 
Lord,  do  thou  teach  every  mother  her  various  duties, 
and  give  her  wisdom  and  grace  to  fulfil  them.  May 
she  realize  that  it  is  in  the  days  of  infancy  and  of 
early  life,  that  those  principles  and  habits  are 
formed,  which  decide  the  future  history  of  the  child  ; 
and  that  on  her  thou  hast  laid  the  chief  responsibi- 
lity of  forming  them.  Give  her  a  heart  of  piety, 
that  shall  impart  a  savour  of  life  unto  life  to  all  her 
efforts.  May  she  seal  all  her  anxieties  and  efforts 
by  fervent  prayer,  with  and  for  her  offspring,  that 
thou  wouldst  help  her  to  train  them  up  in  the  way 
they  should  go,  and  preserve  them  in  it,  unto  eter- 
nal life.  Make  her  example  such  as  shall  be  right 
in  thy  sight,  and  adapted  to  win  their  confidence, 
love,  and  obedience.  May  she  constantly  seek  in- 
struction in  the  various  details  of  her  duty.  Induce 
her  to  acquire  such  mental  culture  as  will  secure 
the  respect  of  her  offspring,  and  enable  her  to  in- 
struct their  forming  minds.  May  she  remember 
that  undue  indulgence  is  the  besetting  sin  of  mo- 
thers, and  that  it  is  the  sunken  rock  on  which  count- 
less numbers  have  made  shipwreck  of  all  their 
hopes.  Let  the  decisions  of  her  authority  be  wise- 
ly made,  and  rigidly  enforced.  Teach  her  that  the 
rod  and  reproof  give  wisdom,  but  a  child  left  to 
himself  bringeth  his  mother  to  shame.  Let  not  re- 
vengeful anger,  but  reclaiming  love,  prescribe  the 
kind  and  measure  of  punishment.  May  her  incen- 
tives and  rewards  for  obedience  be  such  as  shall  es- 
tablish abiding  principles  of  virtue.  Let  a  scrupu- 
lous regard  for  truth  manifest  itself  in  all  her  deal- 
ings with  her  children.  Guard  her  against  partial 
treatment  among  them.  Give  her  wisdom  to  know 


191 

and  skill  to  consult  their  different  characters.  May 
she  strive  to  cultivate  in  them  habits  of  prudence 
and  frugality,  industry  and  generosity.  Make  her 
careful  to  preserve  them  from  vain  pleasures,  from 
evil  company,  and  from  selfish  pursuits.  Establish 
a  perfect  harmony  between  fathers  and  mothers,  in 
their  separate  and  mutual  plans  of  family  training. 
Bestow  thy  rich  favour  on  maternal  associations. 
Establish  them  in  every  community,  and  cause 
sound  knowledge  and  saving  wisdom  to  dictate  and 
govern  all  their  measures.  O,  Gracious  God,  let 
the  salvation  of  her  children  be  the  object  of  every 
mother's  strongest  solicitude  and  most  diligent 
efforts.  May  she  feel  that  while  this  end  is  not  se- 
cured, every  other  success  is  but  as  water  that  is 
spilled  on  the  ground,  and  cannot  be  gathered. 

Lord,  let  a  full  sense  of  their  responsibilities  and 
duties  rest  on  the  hearts  of  all  mothers.  Yet  suf- 
fer them  not  to  be  cast  down  by  the  weight  of  them. 
Assure  them  that  thy  grace  is  sufficient  for  them, 
and  that  thy  strength  shall  be  made  perfect  in  their 
weakness ! 

MOTIVES. 

Lord,  I  pray  thee,  through  the  merits  of  Jesus 
Christ,  that  thou  wouldst  sanctify  my  motives.  Let 
my  outward  conduct  be  according  to  righteousness 
and  mercy ;  but  O,  do  thou  make  my  heart  pure  in 
all  its  promptings  towards  duty.  Dispose  me  to 
watch  narrowly,  lest  I  make  a  merit  of  good  works  ; 
or  perform  them  to  be  seen  of  men,  or  to  advance 
my  selfish  interests.  Raise  me  above  the  love  of 
self,  and  the  desire  of  applause.  Let  not  my  mo- 
tives, when  they  are  right,  be  unsteady ;  but  do 
thou  give  them  such  stability  as  shall  cause  me  to 


192 

be  steadfast,  immovable,  always  abounding  in  the 
work  of  the  Lord.  Teach  me  that  if  my  purposes 
are  right  in  thy  sight,  O  Lord,  thou  wilt  bless  me, 
though  thou  mayst  see  fit  to  deny  their  accomplish- 
ment. Show  me  that  where  there  is  a  will  to  serve 
thee,  it  is  accepted  according  to  what  a  man  hath, 
and  not  according  to  what  a  man  hath  not ;  for  even 
the  widow's  mite  secured  a  richer  meed  of  favour, 
than  the  expensive  gifts  of  the  wealthy  ;  and  a  cup 
of  cold  water  given  to  a  disciple,  out  of  love  to 
Jesus,  shall  in  nowise  lose  its  reward.  Blessed  Lord, 
make  mine  eye  single,  and  my  heart  sincere.  May 
I  do  good,  not  to  be  seen  of  men,  but  in  the  spirit  of 
not  letting  my  left  hand  know  what  my  right  hand 
doth  ;  for  my  Father  which  seeth  in  secret,  will  re- 
ward me  openly.  Lord,  I  would  not  seek  to  do  thy 
will  merely  that  I  may  derive  comfort  from  so  doing; 
but  chiefly  because  it  is  thy  pleasure  that  T  should 
obey  thee,  and  because  it  should  be  my  own  desire 
that  good  may  be  done,  for  thy  glory  and  human 
welfare. 

NATURE. 

Great  God,  the  invisible  things  of  thee,  from  the 
creation  of  the  world,  are  clearly  seeii,  being  un- 
derstood by  the  things  that  are  made  ;  even  thine 
eternal  power  and  Godhead.  Help  me,  I  pray 
thee,  to  make  Nature  the  handmaid  of  devotion. 
Give  me  knowledge  to  discern  thy  character  in  her 
various  scenes.  May  I  see  thy  power  in  the  extent 
and  diversity  of  creation  ;  and  discern  thy  wisdom 
in  the  arrangement  and  government  of  thy  works  ; 
and  acknowledge  thy  goodness  in  the  harmony  and 
excellence  of  thy  products.  Behold,  all  that  I  see 
is  eloquent  of  God  !  The  day,  with  its  flood  of 


193 

light ;  the  night,  with  its  pall  of  darkness  ;  the  sea- 
sons, with  their  circle  of  changes ;  life,  with  its 
mysteries  of  being,  thought,  and  feeling ;  and  death, 
with  its  pains,  and  silence,  and  corruption — all,  all 
are  full  of  the  messages  of  divinity  !  There  is  no 
language  where  their  voice  is  not  heard  ;  their  line 
is  gone  out  through  all  the  earth,  and  their  words 
to  the  end  of  the  world. 

Yet,  O  Lord,  Nature  is,  in  all  these,  but  the  echo 
of  thy  word.  Although  thou  hast  given  thyself 
such  witness  in  her,  that  men  are  left  without  ex- 
cuse in  rejecting  thee ;  yet  without  thy  revealed 
will,  they  become  vain  in  their  imaginations,  and 
their  foolish  heart  is  darkened :  they  change  the 
glory  of  the  incorruptible  God  into  an  image  made 
like  to  corruptible  man  ;  and  to  birds,  and  to  four- 
footed  beasts,  and  to  creeping  things  !  Alas,  the 
world  by  wisdom  knew  not  God.  Lord,  give  me 
grace  ever  to  study  thy  works  in  the  light  of  thy 
word ;  and  dispose  me  to  worship  and  serve  the 
Creator,  who  is  blessed  forever.  Amen. 

NEW    YEAR. 

O  thou  God  of  the  rolling  seasons,  I  thank  thee 
for  thy  mercies  to  me  during  the  last  year.  There 
has  not  been  an  hour  nor  a  moment  of  it,  which  has 
not  brought  me  tokens  of  thy  care  and  kindness. 
Assist  me  now  to  bring  its  transactions,  in  which  I 
have  been  engaged,  in  solemn  review  before  my 
conscience.  Though  the  record  of  them  is  fast 
wasting  away  from  the  treacherous  tablet  of  my 
memory,  yet  they  are  written,  as  with  a  pen  of  iron, 
on  the  books  of  thy  remembrance ;  where  they 
will  remain  until  that  fearful  hour  of  trial,  when  the 
books  shall  be  opened,  and  all  men  shall  be  judged  ' 
17 


194 

out  of  the  things  that  are  written  therein,  whether 
they  be  good  or  evil. 

Lord,  I  desire  to  acknowledge  before  thee,  with 
godly  sorrow,  that  I  have  neglected  many  duties, 
and  abused  many  privileges,  during  the  past  year. 
My  heart,  and  my  lips,  and  my  hands,  have  often 
been  the  agents  of  transgression.  Many  of  thy 
mercies  have  been  ungratefully  perverted  or  for- 
gotten ;  and  thy  chastenings  have  often  been  de- 
spised or  unheeded.  O,  my  tongue  would  grow 
weary,  and  my  heart  would  sicken,  if  I  should  un- 
dertake to  recite  all  my  iniquities  before  thee.  Help 
me,  I  pray  thee,  for  the  sake  of  our  Great  Advocate, 
to  repent  over  them,  to  loathe  and  forsake  them,  and 
to  look  to  thee  for  strength,  that  the  time  past  of  my 
life  may  suffice  to  have  wrought  the  deeds  of  the 
flesh,  and  that  henceforth  I  may  live  to  the  will  of 
God. 

O  Lord,  I  desire  to  enter  the  coming  year,  feeling 
the  solemn  responsibilities  of  human  life.  I  know 
not  what  a  day  may  bring  forth,  nor  what  the  ap- 
proaching months  may  reveal  respecting  me :  ex- 
cept that  they  will  bring  me  so  much  nearer  eternity, 
and  be  full  of  records  of  my  growth  in  grace,  or  of 
my  backslidings  from  thy  holy  law.  Yet  I  thank 
thee  that  my  span  of  life  is  still  lengthened  out,  and 
that  I  am  still  permitted  to  enjoy  the  precious  op- 
portunities that  have  been  vouchsafed  to  me  in  days 
past.  O  God,  assist  me,  1  beseech  thee,  to  dis- 
charge aright  all  the  duties  that  lie  before  me.  Make 
me  understand  the  uncertainty  of  time,  the  worth 
of  my  soul,  the  multiplied  interests  of  my  fellow- 
travellers  to  eternity,  and  the  righteous  claims  of 
thy  service.  Make  me  watchful  against  the  many 
dangers  to  which  I  am  exposed.  Strengthen  my 


195 

love  to  thee;  deepen  my  convictions  of  sin;  ani- 
mate my  desires  after  holiness  ;  increase  my  spirit 
of  prayer ;  enlarge  my  benevolence  ;  and  lead  me 
in  thine  own  way,  for  thy  name's  sake.  Protect 
me  by  thy  care  ;  supply  me  by  thy  bounty  ;  and 
grant  me  an  increasing  meetness  for  that  state, 
where  these  changing  seasons  will  give  place  to  an 
endless  life. 

Lord,  make  this  opening  year,  a  year  of  the  right 
hand  of  the  Most  High.  Pour  the  healing  balm  of 
peace  on  all  the  bleeding  wounds  of  thy  church. 
Spread  over  her  the  spotless  mantle  of  purity.  In- 
vigorate her  by  the  reviving  power  of  truth.  Awaken 
her  to  renewed  efforts  in  doing  good.  O  may  these 
months  stand  forth  in  the  history  of  redemption,  as 
precious  seasons  of  refreshing  from  thy  holy  and 
life-giving  presence. 

NIGHT. 

Great  God,  I  thank  thee  for  the  light,  the  com- 
forts, and  the  duties  of  this  day.  Assist  my  thoughts 
now  in  meditating  on  its  transactions.  Bless  what- 
ever thou  hast  seen  in  me,  which  has  been  agreea- 
ble to  thy  will.  Grant  me  repentance  and  forgiveness 
for  whatever  has  been  sinful  in  thy  sight ;  and  pre- 
pare me  by  godly  sorrow,  and  renewing  grace,  for 
better  conformity  in  time  to  come.  As  my  allotted 
span  of  life  grows  shorter  every  day,  may  I  make 
daily  some  progress  in  the  way  to  heaven. 

O  Lord,  take  me  into  thy  keeping  during  the 
watches  of  the  night.  The  darkness  and  the  light 
are  both  alike  to  thee.  May  thine  eye  that  never 
slumbers,  keep  guard  over  me  ;  and  thine  arm  that 
is  never  weary,  protect  me.  May  I  lie  down,  having 
my  thoughts  directed  to  thee,  and  the  things  that 


196 

belong  to  my  peace.  Teach  me  to  look  on  sleep 
as  the  emblem  of  death  ;  and  to  seek  that  prepara- 
tion of  heart  with  which  T  should  desire  to  meet  the 
king  of  terrors.  May  the  close  of  each  day  remind 
me  of  that  night  of  death  in  which  no  man  can 
work,  and  urge  me  to  finish  every  work  thou  hast 
given  me  to  do.  Preserve  me,  I  pray  thee,  from 
fear,  from  accident,  from  sickness,  and  from  death. 
Make  my  sleep  quiet  and  refreshing.  And  grant 
that  when  I  awake  in  the  morning,  my  thoughts 
may  be  full  of  thankfulness  to  thee  for  thy  protect- 
ing and  satisfying  goodness. 

OBEDIENCE. 

Adorable  Jehovah,  bestow  on  me,  for  the  merits 
of  thy  Son,  the  spirit  of  unreserved  and  fullhearted 
obedience  to  thy  law.  Thou  art  entitled  to  the  ser- 
vice of  all  thy  creatures.  Thou  didst  form  man  out 
of  the  dust  of  the  ground,  and  didst  give  him  the 
breath  of  life,  that  he  should  honour  and  obey  thee. 
Thou  hast  preserved  his  being,  and  gathered  around 
him  the  comforts  of  life,  that  he  should  show  forth 
thy  praise.  And  he  owes  thee  allegiance,  because 
thou  art  the  Governor  of  the  universe,  having  a 
right  to  do  thy  pleasure  among  the  army  of  heaven 
and  the  inhabitants  of  earth  ;  none  of  whom  can 
resist  thy  will,  but  at  the  risk  of  thy  sore  displea- 
sure. But  thou  hast  strengthened,  infinitely,  all  these 
claims  on  his  service,  by  the  offer  of  salvation  to  a 
perishing  world.  Without  this  there  had  been  no 
hope  of  escape  from  the  fruits  of  disobedience, 
which  had  treasured  up  wrath  against  the  day  of 
wrath.  Blessed  be  thy  mercy,  that  with  this  pre- 
cious gift,  thou  hast  not  only  infinitely  increased  our 
obligations,  but  thou  hast  actually  redeemed  unto 


197 

thyself,  a  peculiar  people,  who  are  zealous  of  good 
works.  Though  thy  righteous  claims  of  creation, 
preservation,  and  benefaction,  have  been  disregarded, 
thou  hast  overcome  the  rebellion  of  many  of  thy 
creatures,  by  the  controlling  influence  of  a  Saviour's 
love  ;  so  that  they  no  longer  live  unto  themselves, 
but  unto  him  who  died  for  them. 

Lord,  enable  me  to  present  myself  to  thee,  a  living 
sacrifice,  holy  and  acceptable,  which  is  my  most 
reasonable  service.  Aid  me  to  do  thy  will  in  the 
things  which  thou  hast  commanded,  and  in  those 
which  thou  hast  forbidden.  May  I  fulfil  thy  com- 
mandment out  of  a  pure  heart,  and  of  a  good  con- 
science, and  of  faith  unfeigned.  Teach  me  that 
whoso  keepeth  thy  word,  in  him  verily  is  the  love 
of  God  perfected.  O  let  me  not  confer  with  flesh  and 
blood,  in  reference  to  the  claims  of  duty.  Give  me 
courage  to  hold  forth  the  word  of  life  in  evil  report, 
and  in  good  report.  O  let  my  obedience  have  that 
symmetry  and  that  fulness,  which  are  found  in  add- 
ing to  faith  virtue,  knowledge,  temperance,  patience, 
godliness,  brotherly-kindness  and  charity.  Give 
me  patient  continuance  in  well-doing  ;  and  cheer  me 
by  the  hope,  that  in  due  season,  if  I  faint  not,  I 
shall  reap  eternal  blessedness. 

Blessed  Sovereign,  may  thy  chosen  generation 
adorn  the  doctrine  of  God,  their  Saviour,  in  all 
things.  Enable  them,  by  a  holy  walk,  to  be  the  light 
of  the  world,  and  to  put  to  silence  the  ignorance  of 
foolish  men.  Make  their  consciences  void  of  of- 
fence toward  God  and  man.  May  they  find  that 
thy  yoke  is  easy  and  thy  burden  light.  Make  them 
fruitful  of  every  good  work ;  for  thou  hast  ordained 
them,  that  they  should  go  and  bring  forth  fruit ;  and 
herein  is  our  Father  glorified,  that  they  should  bear 
17* 


198 

much  fruit.  Grant  that  they  may  walk  worthy  of 
thee,  in  holiness  and  righteousness  before  thee,  all 
the  days  of  their  lives.  Make  them  willing,  if  needs 
be,  to  lose  life  for  thy  sake  and  the  gospel's  ;  for 
then  they  shall  find  it  in  life  everlasting.  And  the 
praise  of  their  service,  sanctified  by  Christ's  merits, 
and  accepted  through  his  pleadings,  shall  be  thine 
forever. 

OLD     AGE. 

Eternal  Jehovah,  the  days  of  our  years  are  three- 
score and  ten  ;  and  if  by  reason  of  strength,  they 
be  fourscore,  yet  is  their  strength  labour  and  sorrow  ! 
Lord,  regard,  in  great  mercy,  those  whose  age  warns 
them  that  thou  wilt  come  quickly,  and  bring  thy 
reward  with  thee.  Especially  let  thy  compassions 
be  kindled  towards  those  who  are  bowed  down  under 
the  weight  of  years  and  guilt — to  whom  gray  hairs 
have  brought  no  true  wisdom,  and  to  whom  length 
of  days  has  given  no  experience  of  eternal  life. 
Do  thou  show  them  the  accumulated  wrath  which 
they  have  treasured  up  by  their  long  delay.  Teach 
them  that  there  is  but  a  step  between  them  and 
death.  Arouse  them  to  a  knowledge  of  the  fearful 
crisis  in  which  they  stand.  Let  them  know  that 
the  destinies  of  heaven  and  hell  hang  on  every 
fleeting  breath,  and  every  moving  muscle.  And  if 
consistent  with  thy  will,  give  them  repentance  unto 
life. — But  O  how  little  ground  of  hope  is  there,  in- 
deed, when  we  reflect  on  their  enfeebled  judgment, 
and  decreasing  affections,  their  rigid  habits,  and  ag- 
gravated sins  !  In  the  multitude  of  thy  promises, 
there  is  none  to  the  aged  sinner.  Alas,  how  few 
are  brought  into  thy  vineyard  at  the  eleventh  hour ! 
But  because  there  are  some,  we  would  not  despair 


199 

of  thy  mercy.  Lord,  glorify  thyself  in  plucking 
many  as  brands  from  the  burning. 

Gracious  God,  let  thy  precious  favour  rest  on 
those  whose  hoary  head  is  a  crown  of  glory,  be- 
cause it  is  found  in  the  ways  of  righteousness. 
Make  them  the  objects  of  the  respect,  affection, 
and  care,  of  all  around  them.  Let  their  example 
be  a  blessing  on  all  that  witness  it.  Temper  thy 
providence  to  their  declining  strength,  and  suit  thy 
grace  to  their  approaching  death.  And  when  thou 
bringest  them  to  the  grave,  as  a  shock  of  corn 
cometh  in  his  season,  fully  ripe,  soothe  their  pains, 
allay  their  fears,  strengthen  their  hopes,  and  bid 
them  welcome  to  thy  courts  of  glory. 

Lord,  let  me  not  be  anxious  for  long  life.  May 
I  learn  that  honourable  age  is  not  that  which  stand- 
eth  in  length  of  time,  nor  that  which  is  measured 
by  number  of  years  :  for  wisdom  is  the  gray  hair 
unto  men  ;  and  unspotted  life  is  old  age. 

OMNIPOTENCE. 

Lord,  thou  art  God  Almighty.  The  thunder  of 
thy  power,  who  can  understand  ?  Thou  hast  made, 
and  controlled,  and  sustained  the  mighty  fabric  of 
nature,  by  the  strength  of  thy  word.  The  firma- 
ment, with  all  its  shining  garniture  of  countless 
worlds,  showeth  thy  handiwork ;  the  earth,  with 
all  its  furniture  of  hills  and  valleys,  rivers  and  seas, 
proclaims  thy  greatness  :  and  in  thee  all  creatures 
live,  and  move,  and  have  their  being. 

O  Lord,  give  me  a  realizing  sense  of  the  greatness 
of  thy  power.  Show  it  to  me  in  the  rich  and  varied 
works  of  nature  ;  and  unfold  it  to  me  in  that  crea- 
tion in  the  soul  of  man,  in  which  old  things  are 
passed  away,  and  all  things  are  become  new.  I 


200 

would  adore  thee  for  the  strength  of  thy  grace, 
which  breaks  the  stony  heart,  and  bends  the  stub- 
born will,  and  quickens  those  that  were  dead  in  tres- 
passes and  sins,  into  newness  of  life.  Thy  gospel 
is  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation,  to  every  one  that 
believeth. — O  God,  I  would  bless  thee  that  thou  hast 
pledged  thy  might  for  the  increase  of  thy  kingdom 
in  the  world,  and  hast  promised  that  the  gates  of  hell 
shall  not  prevail  against  it.  O  help  me  to  cry, 
"  Alleluia ;  for  the  Lord  God  Omnipotent  reign- 
eth  ?" 

Most  High  and  Mighty,  incline  me  to  fear  thee, 
who  art  able  to  destroy  both  body  and  soul  in  hell 
forever.  Induce  me  to  put  my  trust  in  thee  ;  for  if 
thou  art  with  me,  who  can  be  against  me  ?  May  I 
experience  in  my  heart  that  working  whereby  thou 
art  able  to  subdue  all  things  unto  thyself.  Grant  me 
the  succour  of  him,  who  is  mighty  to  save,  unto  the 
uttermost,  those  who  come  unto  thee  by  him.  Keep 
me  by  thy  power,  through  faith,  unto  salvation, 
Teady  to  be  revealed  in  the  last  time. 

OMNIPRESENCE. 

O  God,  whither  shall  I  go  from  thy  Spirit ;  or 
where  shall  I  flee  from  thy  presence  ?  If  I  ascend 
tip  into  heaven,  thou  art  there  :  if  I  make  my  bed  in 
hell,  thou  art  there  :  if  I  take  the  wings  of  the  morn- 
ing, and  dwell  in  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  sea, 
even  there  shall  thy  hand  lead  me,  and  thy  right 
hand  shall  hold  me  !  Thou  fillest  and  exceedest 
the  vast  amplitude  of  the  universe. 

Lord,  help  me  to  understand  the  purposes  of  thy 
universal  presence.  Thou  art  bestowing  the  bless- 
ings of  thy  providence,  and  exerting  the  righteous- 
ness of  thy  government,  over  all  thy  creatures. 


201 

Thou  art  comforting",  protecting,  and  sanctifying 
the  hearts  of  thy  saints,  and  bestowing  mingled 
mercy  and  justice  on  the  earthly  probation  of  the 
wicked.  Thou  art  pervading  heaven  with  the  bliss 
of  eternal  life,  and  filling  hell  with  the  anguish  of 
everlasting  death. 

O  Lord,  assist  me  to  profit  by  the  truth,  that  thou 
art  everywhere  present,  at  all  times.  Teach  me 
by  it,  that  in  the  infinite  contrast  with  thee,  I  am 
but  a  grain  of  dust,  a  point,  an  atom,  or  as  nothing  ! 
O  that  it  might  lead  me  to  be  vigilant  in  doing  thy 
will,  and  in  trusting  to  thy  protecting  providence, 
and  redeeming  goodness.  Lord,  grant  me  here,  I 
beseech  thee,  a  foretaste  of  that  fulness  of  joy, 
which  is  in  thy  heavenly  presence  for  evermore. 

OMN  I  S  CIE  NC  E. 

Great  Fountain  of  Knowledge,  thine  understand- 
ing is  infinite.  Thou  knowest  all  things  ;  even  the 
end  from  the  beginning.  There  is  no  creature  that 
is  not  manifest  in  thy  sight.  Thou  rememberest 
every  thing  that  has  occurred  in  the  history  of  the 
wide  universe  :  thou  knowest  all  the  open  and  secret 
workings  of  matter  and  mind,  throughout  thine  un- 
measured dominion  :  even  a  sparr*w  cannot  fall  to 
the  ground  without  thy  notice,  and  the  very  hairs  of 
our  heads  are  all  numbered :  and  there  is  nothing 
in  the  countless  revolutions  of  eternity,  that  is  not 
as  visible  to  thine  eye  as  the  light  of  day ! 

Lord,  thou  knowest  my  down-sitting  and  mine 
up-rising ;  thou  art  acquainted  with  all  my  ways  ; 
and  thou  understandest  even  my  thoughts  afar  off. 
If  I  say,  "  Surely  the  darkness  shall  cover  me" — 
even  the  night  shall  be  light  about  me.  O  grant  me 
the  solemn  influence  of  the  truth,  that  thou  knowest 


202 

the  hearts  of  all  men :  thou  hast  indeed  searched 
and  known  me.  May  it  lead  me  to  worship  thee  in 
spirit  and  in  truth  ;  for  thou  art  not  deceived,  and 
canst  not  be  mocked.  May  it  restrain  me  from  sin  ; 
because  there  is  no  darkness  nor  shadow  of  death, 
where  the  workers  of  iniquity  may  hide  themselves. 
And,  O,  may  it  be  a  source  of  comfort  and  blessing 
to  me  ;  for  thou  knowest  all  my  wants,  and  canst 
supply  them  out  of  thine  abundant  fulness. 

OR  P  H  A  N  A  GE. 

Lord,  thou  art  the  Helper  of  the  fatherless.  Look, 
I  pray  thee,  in  thy  tenderest  compassion,  on  those 
from  whom  thou  hast  taken  away  the  natural  guides 
and  comforters  of  their  life.  Heal  the  wounded 
hearts  of  those  who  are  bleeding  under  these  keen 
bereavements.  Assure  them  that  when  their  father 
and  mother  forsake  them,  then,  if  they  put  their  trust 
in  thee,  the  Lord  will  take  them  up. 

O  God,  open  fountains  of  compassion  in  the 
hearts  of  mankind,  towards  orphans.  Raise  up  for 
them  friends,  who  shall  take  the  places,  and  dis- 
charge the  offices,  of  those  whom  thou  hast,  in  thy 
wise  purposes,  taken  away  from  them.  Make  it 
the  business  of  Christian  love,  to  soothe  their  sor- 
rows, to  minister  to  their  wants,  and  to  guide  their 
steps  amid  the  wanderings  of  earth.  Protect  them 
from  the  dangers  which  accompany  their  exposed 
condition.  Screen  them  from  the  oppressions  with 
which  the  selfish  so  often  scourge  the  destitute. 
Guard  them  from  the  temptations  which  gather  in 
fearful  number  and  strength  around  the  defenceless. 
Save  them  from  those  indulgences  in  sin,  into  which 
the  unrestrained  are  so  prone  to  fall.  Gracious 
Lord,  smooth  for  them  the  pathways  of  life.  Even 


203 

as  a  tender  shepherd  carries  the  lambs  of  his  flock 
in  his  bosom,  so  do  thou  shelter  them  in  the  covert 
of  thy  wings. — Above  every  other  blessing,  grant 
them  that  of  regarding  thee  as  their  reconciled  God 
and  Father,  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Though  thou 
hast  hid  the  desire  of  their  eyes,  and  the  hope  of 
their  hearts,  in  the  silence  of  the  grave,  yet  thou 
wilt  be  unto  them,  if  they  confide  in  thee,  a  present 
help  and  an  eternal  portion.  Lead  them  to  look  up 
unto  thee,  in  their  destitution,  as  their  Heavenly  Fa- 
ther ;  and  to  feel  that  the  most  cherished  pleasures 
of  earthly  parentage,  fall  infinitely  below  the  privi- 
leges of  being  in  the  adoption  of  the  sons  of  God. 

OSTENTATION. 

O  thou  that  dwellest  in  the  contrite  heart,  preserve 
me,  for  the  Redeemer's  sake,  from  the  folly  and  sin 
of  ostentation,  both  in  the  common  duties  of  life, 
and  in  my  religious  actions.  Teach  me  that  I  have 
nothing  that  I  have  not  received  ;  and  that  thou 
hast  commanded  that  nothing  be  done  through  vain- 
glory. Lord,  let  me  not  do  my  works  before  men, 
to  be  seen  of  them.  Make  my  path  of  life  like  the 
course  of  the  humble  rivulet,  which  is  not  denoted 
by  noise  and  glare,  but  by  the  verdure  and  plenty 
that  attend  its  borders.  Grant  that  whenever  I 
desire  to  catch  the  applause  of  man,  or  seek  to  be 
thought  of  others  what  I  am  not,  I  may  reflect  that 
all  I  am  and  all  I  do,  are  naked  and  open  to  thine 
eyes.  Let  it  be  a  very  small  thing  with  me  that  I 
should  be  judged  of  man's  judgment;  for  though  I 
may  lawfully  desire  the  good  opinion  of  my  fellow- 
creatures,  I  must  hold  it  subordinate  to  the  esteem 
of  God :  thou  art  the  only  true  and  final  umpire  of 
conduct  and  character.  Heavenly  Father,  do  thou 


204 

so  raise  me  above  the  fear  and  love  of  man,  that  I 
may  be  in  all  things,  and  at  all  times,  a  servant  of 
Christ,  doing  the  will  of  God  from  the  heart,  as 
unto  the  Lord,  and  not  unto  men. 

PARDON. 

Great  God,  I  have  sinned  against  thee,  times  and 
ways  beyond  number.  If  thou  shouldst  lay  righte- 
ousness to  the  line,  and  judgment  to  the  plummet, 
I  should  be  driven  from  thy  presence.  Yea,  if  thou 
shouldst  deal  with  me  for  one  of  a  thousand  of  my 
transgressions,  I  could  not  appear  before  thee.  Yet 
I  praise  thee  that  there  is  forgiveness  with  thee,  and 
that  thou  blottest  out  the  transgressions  of  thy  peo- 
ple. O  give  me  the  blessedness  of  him  to  whom 
thou  imputest  no  iniquity  ;  whose  sins,  though  they 
be  as  scarlet,  shall  be  as  white  as  snow ;  and  though 
they  be  red  like  crimson,  shall  be  as  wool. 

Lord,  teach  me  the  nature  and  condition  of  that 
pardon  which  thou  art  willing  and  ready  to  bestow 
on  thy  sinful  creatures.  O,  it  is  sufficient  to  stay 
the  wrath  of  thy  condemnation,  and  to  take  away 
forever,  the  sentence  which  was  written  against  us. 
Yet  it  is  not  procured  by  our  own  works  of  right- 
eousness ;  but  we  have  this  redemption  through  the 
blood  of  Christ,  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  according 
to  the  riches  of  his  grace.  Grant  me,  I  beseech 
thee,  such  a  conviction  of  sin,  and  such  a  reliance 
on  the  atonement  of  Jesus,  as  will  make  it  consist- 
ent with  thy  love  of  justice,  and  with  the  security 
of  thy  moral  government,  to  remember  my  trans- 
gressions no  more  against  me.  Keep  me  from  every 
effort  to  bring  thee  a  price  in  my  hand,  for  this 
precious  boon.  O  may  I  seek  it  as  the  gift  of  thy 


205 

mercy,  purchased  by  the  death  of  thy  Son,  and  made 
effectual  by  the  application  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Merciful  God,  grant  me  the  fruits  of  thy  forgiving 
love,  in  peace  of  conscience,  a  sense  of  thy  favour, 
a  tender  penitence  for  sin,  a  feeling  of  deep  and 
lasting  gratitude,  and  a  holy,  humble,  and  confiding 
access  to  thy  throne  of  grace. 

Lord,  lead  multitudes  of  the  impenitent  to  seek 
thy  forgiving  mercy.  May  they  learn  the  infinite 
value  of  that  sacrifice  by  which  it  was  procured, 
and  the  tender  solicitude  and  strivings  of  thy  Spirit, 
that  they  should  embrace  it.  Show  them  from  what 
guilt  and  punishment  it  redeems,  and  to  what  purity 
and  happiness  it  leads.  Enter  not  now  into  judg- 
ment with  them,  for  in  thy  sight  shall  no  man  living 
be  justified.  O  do  thou  excite  many  to  call  on  thee 
whilst  thou  art  waiting  to  be  gracious  ;  and  do  thou 
make  peace  with  them  through  the  blood  of  the 
cross,  and  present  them  holy  and  unblameable  in  thy 
sight.  Blot  out  their  iniquities  from  the  book  of 
thy  remembrance,  and  write  their  names  in  the 
Lamb's  book  of  life. 

PARENTS. — See  Fathers,  Mothers. 

PASSIONS. 

Lord,  preserve  me  from  the  dominion  of  my  pas- 
sions. Thou  hast  given  me,  in  thy  wisdom  and 
goodness,  the  affections  of  human  nature  ;  but  thou 
hast  put  them  under  laws  of  usefulness  and  of  sub- 
jection to  thy  will.  Lead  me,  I  pray  thee,  to  con- 
sult diligently  those  laws  ;  and  help  me  to  bring  my 
feelings  into  submission  to  them.  O  let  not  the 
things  that  are  sensual  and  carnal,  attract  and  absorb 
my  desires.  Teach  me  to  abstain  from  fleshly  lusts 
18 


206 

that  destroy  the  body,  that  war  against  the  soul,  and 
which  bring  down  the  displeasure  of  God.  Lord, 
keep  me  from  the  undue  and  unholy  exercise  of  my 
mental  passions.  Enable  me  to  control  and  direct 
them,  that  they  may  be  the  servants  of  grace,  and 
not  the  instruments  of  unrighteousness. 

PATIENCE. 

Lord,  I  would  draw  nigh,  in  the  prevailing  name 
of  Jesus,  to  ask  thee  to  cause  patience  to  have  its 
perfect  work  m  my  heart,  in  all  the  various  trials 
of  life.  May  it  possess  my  soul,  and  suffer  no  in- 
trusion there  of  fretful  complaint,  nor  anxious  fear. 
In  sickness,  in  bereavement,  in  crosses,  in  provoca- 
tions, in  persecutions,  in  every  thing  that  clashes 
with  my  desires,  grant,  I  beseech  thee,  that  I  may 
secure  and  preserve  serenity  of  mind.  Instruct  me 
that  every  discontented  and  peevish  feeling  is  re- 
bellion against  thee  ;  and  that  I  may  glorify  thy 
name  by  the  meek  endurance  of  trial,  as  well  as  by 
the  active  performance  of  duty. — What  is  man,  that 
he  should  complain  ?  Lo !  thou  Jehovah  art  long- 
suffering,  even  towards  the  contradiction  of  sinners. 
May  I  remember  that  there  is  One  who  was  tempted 
in  all  points  as  I  am ;  and  yet  never  incurred  the 
sin  of  an  impatient  spirit — who  when  he  was  re- 
viled, reviled  not  again  ;  who  when  he  suffered, 
threatened  not,  but  committed  himself  to  him  that 
judgeth  righteously.  Teach  me  that  this  grace  will 
protect  me  from  much  that  is  evil,  and  strengthen 
me  in  all  that  is  good ;  and  that  it  will  secure  thy 
favour — for  thou  hast  said  that  when  we  do  well, 
and  suffer  for  it,  yet  take  it  patiently,  this  is  accept- 
able with  God.  Enable  me  to  run  with  patience, 
the  race  that  is  set  before  me.  Put  my  heart  at  rest 


207 

in  thee  ;  for  he  who  hath  delivered,  will  yet  deliver. 
May  the  thought  that  the  Lord  will  provide,  quell 
every  restless  and  fearful  emotion.  O  God,  make 
me  a  steadfast  follower  of  them  that  through  faith 
and  patience,  inherit  the  promises. 


Heavenly  Father,  grant  me  peace  of  conscience 
towards  thee,  through  the  atoning  hlood  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  Give  me,  I  pray  thee,  that  holy  se- 
renity of  mind,  which  the  world  can  neither  give 
nor  take  away,  and  which  results  from  receiving  thy 
love,  and  from  knowing  and  doing  thy  will  continu- 
ally.— Enable  me  to  live  peaceably  with  all  men — 
respecting  with  justice  their  rights,  and  not  seeking 
with  pertinacity  my  own — giving  place  to  wrath, 
and  refraining  from  an  evil  tongue,  and  every  thing 
that  stirs  up  strife. — Lord,  give  thy  churches  rest 
from  unholy  divisions  within,  and  from  wicked  as- 
saults without.  May  the  household  of  faith  dwell 
together  in  unity  ;  and  then  the  gates  of  hell  shall 
not  prevail  against  it.  O  God,  promote  and  esta- 
blish peace  between  man  and  man,  and  between  na- 
tion and  nation,  throughout  the  world.  Supplant, 
by  the  influence  of  the  gospel,  that  selfishness  which 
is  the  fruitful  source  of  every  form  of  contention : 
and  in  its  place  implant  that  holy  love  which  work- 
eth  no  ill  to  its  neighbour,  and  which  leadeth  man 
to  regard  every  human  being  as  a  neighbour  and  a 
brother.  Then  shall  individuals  cease  from  strife 
— nations  shall  learn  war  no  more — and  Jesus,  the 
Prince  of  Peace,  shall  reign  over  a  dominion  where 
there  shall  be  none  to  hurt  nor  destroy — where  heart 
shall  beat  in  harmony  with  heart — where  eye  shall 


208 

speak  peace  to  eye — and   where  hand  shall  be  to 
hand  the  exchange  of  good-will  to  man. 

PERSECUTION. 

Shepherd  of  Israel,  I  would  praise  thy  name  for 
that  comparative  exemption  from  persecution,  which 
we  enjoy  in  this  highly  favoured  land.  Yet  perhaps 
we  owe  our  peaceful  security  to  our  conformity 
with  the  world.  It  becomes  us  to  inquire,  whether 
the  world  arrays  itself  not  against  us,  because  we 
have  not  fearlessly  borne  our  testimony  against  it, 
that  its  deeds  are  evil ;  or  because  we  have  not  re- 
buked its  practices  by  a  high  standard  of  holy  liv- 
ing.— Lord,  let  me  not  desire  exemption  from  the 
enmity  of  the  wicked,  at  the  expense  of  duty. 
Make  me  willing  to  suffer  persecution  for  righteous- 
ness' sake :  yea,  thou  hast  said  that  they  shall  suffer 
it,  who  live  godly,  in  Christ  Jesus.  If  our  Blessed 
Lord  was  reviled,  scourged,  and  persecuted,  and  his 
noble  cloud  of  witnesses,  of  whom  the  world  was 
not  worthy,  had  trial  of  cruel  Blockings,  and  bonds, 
and  death,  why  should  I  hope  to  escape  ?  Lord, 
enable  me  so  to  act,  that  whether  men  may  devise 
evil  or  good  concerning  me,  my  conscience  shall  be 
free  from  guilt  towards  thee  and  all  mankind. 

O  thou  who  art  a  very  present  help  in  trouble, 
remember  those  who  fall  into  persecution.  Over- 
rule the  trial  of  their  faith  and  patience,  for  their 
good  and  thy  glory.  Abate  its  severity,  or  open  a 
door  of  deliverance  from  it,  or  enable  them  to  bear 
it  as  good  soldiers  of  Christ.  While  they  suffer 
according  to  thy  will,  may  they  commit  the  keep- 
ing of  their  souls  to  thee.  in  well-doing,  as  unto  a 
faithful  Creator.  Let  them  not  wonder  nor  com- 
plain, as  though  some  strange  thing  had  happened 


209 

unto  them  ;  but  rejoice  inasmuch  as  they  are  par- 
takers of  Christ's  sufferings  ;  that  when  his  glory 
shall  be  revealed,  they  may  be  glad  also  with  ex- 
ceeding joy. 

PE  RSE  V  E  RAN  C  E. 

God  of  Salvation,  let  me  not  be  of  those  that 
draw  back  unto  perdition,  but  of  them  that  believe 
unto  the  saving  of  the  soul.  Make  me  steadfast  in 
the  pursuit  of  knowledge,  and  performance  of  duty. 
Teach  me  that  the  race  is  not  to  the  swift,  but  to 
them  who  cast  aside  every  weight,  and  the  sin  that 
doth  so  easily  beset  them  ;  and  who  look  to  Jesus, 
as  the  Author  and  Finisher  of  faith.  Blessed  be 
God,  the  way  I  am  called  to  run  in,  is  not  an  un- 
beaten path  ;  for  thy  people  on  earth  are  now  walk- 
ing in  it  as  the  highway  to  heaven  ;  the  saints  in 
glory  have  followed  it  unto  life  eternal ;  yea,  even 
the  High  Priest  of  our  profession,  Christ  the  Right- 
eous, hath  made  it  smooth  by  his  glorious  footsteps. 
Lord,  give  me  a  warmer  zeal,  and  a  holier  strength, 
to  run  that  heavenly  road. 

O  God,  set  clearly  and  strongly  before  my  mind, 
that  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory,  which 
is  laid  up  for  those  that  endure  unto  the  end.  May 
I  so  run,  that  I  shall  obtain  it.  Enable  me  to  con- 
tinue in  all  things  which  are  written  in  the  book  of 
the  law,  to  do  them.  O  teach  me  the  duty  of  per- 
severance, by  a  conviction  of  the  uncertainty  of  life. 
Those  servants  only  shall  be  blessed,  whom  when 
the  Lord  cometh,  he  shall  find  watching. — Give  me, 
I  beseech  thee,  such  views  of  the  foes  that  are  with- 
in and  around  me,  as  shall  lead  me  to  continual  de- 
pendence on  thy  grace,  and  unremitted  diligence  in 
thy  will.  Imbue  me  with  courage  of  mind  and 
18* 


210 

strength  of  heart,  to  overcome  all  the  hinderances 
which  Satan,  or  the  world,  or  my  own  passions, 
may  cast  in  my  way. — Heavenly  Father,  let  nothing 
be  able  to  separate  me  from  thy  love  in  Christ  Je- 
sus. O,  love  me  with  an  everlasting  love.  May 
he  that  is  the  Ransom  of  sinners,  save  me  unto  the 
uttermost.  May  thy  Holy  Spirit  seal  me  unto  the 
day  of  redemption,  and  be  my  Comforter,  to  abide 
with  me  forever.  And  then,  in  that  inheritance 
which  is  incorruptible,  and  that  fadeth  not  away,  I 
will  praise  thee  for  the  power  of  thy  grace,  by 
which  I  shall  have  been  kept,  through  faith,  unto 
salvation. 

PIETY. 

God  of  Salvation,  vouchsafe  unto  me  a  spirit  of 
intelligent  and  devoted  piety.  Make  rne  a  Chris- 
tian, not  only  in  name,  but  in  truth.  May  I  watch 
diligently,  lest  while  I  have  the  form  of  godliness, 
I  may  be  destitute  of  its  power. — Lead  me,  I  pray 
thee,  into  the  constant  exercise  of  repentance  to- 
wards God,  and  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Fill 
rny  heart  with  love  to  thee,  thine  ordinances,  thy 
service,  thy  people,  and  all  mankind.  Give  that 
love  such  strength  and  purity,  that  it  shall  fulfil  thy 
law.  Make  it  abound  more  and  more,  in  know- 
ledge and  judgment,  until  I  am  filled  with  the  fruits 
of  righteousness,  unto  the  glory  and  praise  of  God. 
Cleanse  thou  my  heart  from  evil  thoughts,  and  my 
life  from  wicked  ways  ;  and  enable  me  to  die  unto 
sin,  and  to  live  unto  righteousness.  Make  me  meek 
and  forgiving,  sincere  and  humble.  Let  consistency, 
self-denial,  and  gratitude,  pervade  all  my  actions. 
Make  me  earnest  in  prayer,  unwavering  in  faith, 
and  joyful  in  hope.  Prepare  me  for  the  quiet  en- 


211 

durance  of  every  trial,  and  for  the  zealous  perform- 
ance of  every  duty.  If  I  suffer  as  a  Christian,  let 
me  not  be  ashamed,  but  glorify  God  on  this  behalf. 
Lord,  make  me  a  follower  of  them  who,  through 
faith  and  patience,  inherit  the  promises.  Permit 
me  not  to  put  a  stumbling-block,  or  an  occasion 
to  fall,  in  my  brother's  way  :  but  cause  me  to 
follow  after  the  things  which  make  for  peace,  and 
things  wherewith  one  may  edify  another.  May  I  so 
act  before  the  world,  that  men  may  take  knowledge 
of  me,  and  be  led  to  glorify  our  Father  in  heaven. 
May  the  same  mind  which  was  in  Christ  be  also 
in  me.  As  I  have  borne  the  image  of  the  earthly, 
so  let  me  bear  the  image  of  the  heavenly  ;  and  of 
his  fulness  receive,  and  grace  for  grace.  Blessed 
Lord,  grant  that  by  patient  continuance  in  well-doing, 
I  may  seek  for  glory,  and  honour,  and  immortality, 
where  the  righteous  shall  shine  forth  as  the  sun,  in 
the  kingdom  of  their  Father. 

PITY. 

Merciful  Father,  make  my  heart  sensible  to  every 
object  of  pity.  Blessed  Jesus,  thou  hadst  compas- 
sion on  every  subject  of  distress  and  misfortune. 
Thou  didst  mourn  with  them  that  mourned,  and  weep 
with  them  that  wept.  It  was  indeed  the  tenderness 
of  thy  love  which  brought  thee  to  this  world  of  wo, 
that  thou  mightest  bless  and  save  those  who  were 
ready  to  perish.  O  may  the  same  mind  be  in  me 
which  was  in  Christ  Jesus.  Let  no  form  of  self- 
ishness so  harden  my  heart,  that  I  shall  fail  to  ex- 
ercise compassion  for  the  wants  and  woes  of  thy 
creatures.  Let  me  not  stop  my  ears  to  the  cry  of 
the  needy,  nor  turn  away  my  eyes  from  them  that 
are  stricken  with  misery.  And  let  me  not  pity  only 


212 

in  word  and  in  tongue  ;  but  in  deed  and  in  truth  : 
for  so  shall  I  know  that  I  am  of  the  truth,  and  as- 
sure my  heart  before  thee,  whose  compassions  fail 
not,  else  I  should  be  consumed  in  thy  presence. 

Lord,  grant  that  my  deepest  feelings  of  pity,  my 
strongest  yearnings  of  soul,  may  be  over  those  who 
are  living  heedlessly,  under  the  wrath  of  God.  Let 
my  heart's  desire  and  prayer  to  thee  be,  that  they 
might  be  saved.  O  magnify  thy  goodness  in  bring- 
ing them  from  the  rebellion  of  sin,  into  the  obedi- 
ence of  faith. 

POPERY. 

God  of  Truth,  destroy  the  power  of  popery.  Let 
not  the  Man  of  sin,  the  Son  of  perdition,  continue 
to  rule  the  nations  with  his  rod  of  iron.  Lord,  hovr 
long  shall  men  concede  to  weak  mortals,  like  them- 
selves, the  claims  of  infallibility  and  absolution  ? 
How  long  shall  sinful  men  be  permitted  to  keep  the 
consciences  of  their  fellow-men — to  dispense  vain 
indulgences  for  sin — to  blot  out  the  commandments 
of  God — to  make  thy  law  void  by  vain  traditions — 
to  prohibit  the  bread  of  life — and  to  exalt  the  wor- 
ship of  superstition  over  the  services  of  simplicity 
and  truth  ?  How  long,  O  Lord,  shall  they  impiously 
arrogate  to  change  a  corruptible  thing  into  the  in- 
corruptible body  of  Christ ;  and  to  dishonour  the 
atonement  of  Jesus,  by  claiming  for  any  that  have 
been  redeemed  by  his  blood,  an  excess  of  obedience 
beyond  the  requirements  of  thy  law  ?  O  redeem 
the  victims  of  these  delusions.  May  they  learn  that 
thou  only  art  the  object  of  worship  ;  that  thou  only 
canst  forgive  sin  ;  and  that  the  Scriptures  of  truth 
are  the  only  and  all-sufficient  rule  which  thou  hast 
given  us,  to  know  how  we  may  glorify  and  enjoy 
thee  forever. 


213 

Lord,  cause  thy  word,  thy  Spirit,  thy  providence, 
and  thy  people,  to  concur  mightily  in  overthrowing 
this  great  bulwark  of  Satan.  May  the  spirit  of  love 
govern  all  thy  saints  in  their  efforts  to  recover  the 
world  from  papal  power.  Transform  all  its  temples 
into  sanctuaries  of  righteousness  ;  and  into  every 
heart  that  has  been  a  shrine  of  its  corruptions,  put 
thou  an  altar  consecrated  to  the  pure  service  of  the 
living  God. 

POVERTY. 

Merciful  Father,  if  it  be  thy  will,  preserve  me 
from  poverty.  Let  not  my  mind  be  harassed  by 
fears  as  to  what  I,  or  those  who  may  be  dependent 
on  me,  shall  eat  or  drink,  or  wherewithal  we  shall 
be  clothed.  Bestow  on  me  a  moderate  competence 
of  the  means  of  support,  and  grant  me  thy  favour  in 
the  enjoyment  of  it.  Make  me  grateful  to  thee  for 
thy  past  and  present  bounties.  But,  O  Lord,  if  it 
be  thy  pleasure  to  strip  me  of  my  worldly  comforts, 
and  to  bring  me  into  deep  and  distressing  need,  let 
me  not  rebel  against  thee,  nor  complain  of  thy  right- 
eous providence.  May  I  find  more  joy  in  trusting 
to  thee,  in  the  midst  of  adversity?  than  in  all  the 
pleasures  which  unsanctified  wealth  could  bestow. 
Even  though  darkness  should  gather  with  forbidding 
gloom  over  all  my  expectations  of  worldly  comfort, 
throughout  all  the  remainder  of  my  life,  let  the  con- 
solations of  thy  Spirit  be  more  than  enough  to  satisfy 
my  soul.  Make  me  rich  in  the  hope  of  a  better  and 
a  heavenly  substance,  which  corrupts  not  in  the 
enjoyment,  perishes  not  in  the  using,  but  endures 
forever. 

Lord,  pity  the  poor.  Soothe  and  relieve  their 
wants.  Protect  them  from  oppression,  and  deliver 


214 

them  from  him  that  spoileth  them.  Save  them  from 
the  vices  which  so  often  accompany  their  lot.  Raise 
up  friends  who  shall  feel  for  their  wants,  and  supply 
their  necessities. — Lord,  let  it  be  a  prominent  duty 
with  Christians,  to  minister  to  those  that  are  in 
need.  May  they  remember  that  their  Lord  and 
Master  had  not  where  to  lay  his  head,  and  that  these 
stricken  ones  are  his  representatives  on  the  earth. 
Show  them  that  he  who  hath  pity  on  the  poor, 
lendeth  to  the  Lord,  who  will  pay  him  again  :  while 
he  that  oppresseth  them  reproacheth  his  Maker,  and 
he  that  stoppeth  his  ears  at  their  cry,  shall  also  cry 
himself,  and  shall  not  be  heard.  Enable  them  to 
devise  such  employment  for  the  needy,  as  shall  at 
once  confer  on  them  the  blessings  of  industry  and 
self-support.  May  those  who  have  no  silver  nor 
gold  to  give,  bestow  their  sympathies  and  counsels, 
which  are  often  worth  more  than  money. — And 
above  all,  may  they  seek,  through  thy  Spirit,  to  con- 
fer on  them  that  godliness  which  is  profitable  unto 
all  things. 

Lord,  bless  those  public  charities  which  are  de- 
signed to  relieve  the  distresses  of  the  destitute.  Give 
minds  of  discretion,  and  hearts  of  pity,  to  those  who 
control  them.  As  these  works  of  mercy  are  the 
fruits  of  the  gospel,  so  may  they  be  conducted  in  its 
spirit,  and  result  in  its  choicest  blessings.  Though 
thou  hast  said  that  the  poor  shall  never  cease  out 
of  the  land,  yet  do  thou  abate  the  sorrows,  and  re- 
move the  evils,  of  their  condition  ;  and  make  multi- 
tudes of  them  rich  in  faith  toward  God,  and  in  the 
hope  of  salvation. 

PRAISE. 

O  thou  Most  High,  I  would  praise  thee  for  thine 
excellent  greatness.  The  heaven  of  heavens  cannot 


215 

contain  thee.  From  everlasting  to  everlasting  thou 
art  God.  With  thee  there  is  no  variableness,  neither 
shadow  of  turning.  Thou  art  infinitely  more  exalted 
above  us,  than  we  are  above  the  smallest  insect  of 
creation.  Lord,  thou  knovvest  all  things  :  thou  art 
the  only  wise  God,  wonderful  in  counsel,  and  infi- 
nite in  knowledge.  Thou  art  able  to  do,  exceeding 
abundantly,  above  all  that  we  can  think.  Thou  art 
of  purer  eyes,  than  to  behold  evil.  Justice  and 
judgment  nre  the  habitation  of  thy  throne.  The 
works  of  nature,  the  movements  of  providence,  and 
the  plan  of  redemption  are  full  of  thy  goodness. 
Thy  counsels  of  old  are  faithfulness  and  truth.  Lo, 
all  thy  ways  are  perfect ! 

Lord,  grant  me  such  adoring  views  of  thy  cha- 
racter, as  shall  be  delightful  foretastes  of  that  praise 
which  is  the  incense  of  thy  worship  in  heaven.  May 
I  rejoice  that  the  government  of  the  world,  and  of 
the  universe,  is  in  the  hands  of  a  perfect  being,  who 
will  do  all  things  well.  Make  me  esteem  thy  favour 
as  the  highest  honour,  and  the  most  glorious  privi- 
lege, which  men  or  angels  can  enjoy.  O  may  I 
often  set  my  feeble  and  corrupt  powers  in  contrast 
with  thine  infinite  and  spotless  perfections,  that  I 
may  thus  at  once  take  my  place  in  the  dust  before 
thee,  and  magnify  thy  great  and  glorious  name. — 
[_See  THE  VARIOUS  ATTRIBUTES.] 

PRAYER. 

Heavenly  Father,  teach  me  to  pray,  and  quicken 
me  by  thy  Spirit,  that  I  may  worship  thee  in  spirit 
and  in  truth.  Give  me  clear  and  abiding  views  of 
the  nature  of  this  solemn  act  of  worship.  Grant  me 
a  proper  estimate  of  thy  character,  as  infinitely  able 
and  willing  to  bless  all  who  would  approach  the 
throne  of  grace,  according  to  thy  will.  Enable  me 


216 

to  make  thy  glory  the  ruling  object  of  my  desires ; 
and  to  present  them  only  in  the  name  of  the  heaven- 
ly Mediator  ;  whom  thou  always  hearest,  for  in  him 
thou  art  ever  well-pleased.  May  every  supplication 
be  offered  in  the  wish  and  hope  that  Jesus  will  pre- 
sent it,  with  his  prevailing  intercession,  at  the  throne 
of  grace.  Lord,  make  me  feel  my  entire  and  con- 
tinual dependance  on  thee  for  all  the  blessings  I 
possess,  or  hope  to  enjoy.  O  do  thou  give  me 
such  a  craving  sense  of  want,  such  a  conviction  that 
there  is  no  other  source  of  relief,  and  such  confi- 
dence in  thy  promises,  that  supplication  shall  be  the 
language  of  my  tongue,  the  thought  of  my  heart,  and 
the  food  of  my  soul. 

Great  God,  thou  art,  indeed,  not  worshipped  as 
though  thou  needest  any  thing ;  for  thou  givest  to 
all,  life,  and  breath,  and  all  things.  It  is  in  mercy 
to  us  that  thou  art  willing  to  hear  and  answer  the 
prayer  of  penitence  and  faith.  Thou  hast  more- 
over commanded  it,  as  our  imperative  duty — thus 
making  our  privilege  and  our  obligation  one  and  in- 
separable. 

Infinite  Fountain  of  Blessing,  grant  me  the  influ- 
ences of  thy  Spirit,  to  show  me  what  I  should  pray 
for,  and  the  way  in  which  I  should  draw  nigh  to  the 
mercy-seat. — Teach  me,  I  pray  thee,  the  various 
and  numerous  wants  of  my  dependent  nature,  until 
my  thoughts  shall  grow  familiar  with  them,  in  all 
their  number,  and  my  heart  shall  be  absorbed  by  con- 
victions of  their  importance.  Lord,  dispose  me  to 
submit  every  object  of  hope  and  every  pursuit  of 
desire,  by  prayer,  to  the  control  of  thy  will :  and  do 
thou  turn  me  away  from  continuing  or  completing 
any  thing,  which  has  not  the  sanction  of  thy  favour, 
and  upon  which  I  cannot  invoke  thy  blessing.  O 


217 

Lord,  suffer  me  not  to  confine  my  supplications 
to  my  own  wants  ;  but  do  thou  give  me  a  spirit  of 
prayer  on  behalf  of  others.  Make  me  feelingly 
alive  to  all  the  interests  of  thy  church,  and  abundant 
in  intercession  for  her  knowledge,  purity,  and  in- 
crease. O  burden  my  heart  with  anxious  solicitude 
for  the  impenitent ;  and  lead  my  feelings  out  in 
earnest  and  importunate  pleadings  for  their  salva- 
tion.— Lord,  suffer  me  not  to  approach  thee,  on  any 
subject,  with  thoughtlessness  or  insincerity.  Re- 
strain me  from  a  wandering  and  corrupted  mind. 
May  every  petition  be  the  expression  of  true  and 
anxious  feeling.  Suffer  me  not  to  forget  my  sup- 
plications, with  the  passing  breath  that  utters  them  ; 
but  do  thou  cause  my  memory  to  retain  them,  and 
my  hope  to  pursue  them  ;  and  if  I  receive  not,  may 
I  be  assured  that  it  is  because  I  ask  amiss. 

Father  of  Mercy,  assist  me  to  bring  my  desires 
into  conformity  to  thy  will.  Let  me  not  ask  thee 
for  any  thing  inconsistent  with  thy  holy  and  sove- 
reign pleasure. — Help  me  to  come  in  the  humble 
boldness  of  faith  to  thy  throne,  that  I  may  obtain 
mercy,  and  find  grace  to  help  in  time  of  need. 
Thou  art  indeed  more  ready  to  hear  than  I  am  to 
pray ;  and  more  willing  to  give  than  I  am  to  ask. 
Enable  me,  I  pray  thee,  to  come  to  thee  in  the  con- 
fidence with  which  I  would  approach  an  earthly 
parent :  for  if  such  an  one  knows  how  to  give  good 
gifts  to  his  children,  much  more  will  our  heavenly 
Father  give  his  Holy  Spirit  to  them  that  ask  him. 
Lord,  help  thou  mine  unbelief,  and  enable  me  to 
believe  that  thou  art  the  rewarder  of  them  that  dili- 
gently seek  thee. — Teach  me  that  if  I  regard  ini- 
quity in  my  heart,  thou  wilt  not  hear  me.  Do  thou 
therefore  cleanse  my  heart,  that  my  desires  may  go 
19 


218 

forth  unspotted  by  sin,  and  find  acceptance  in  thy 
sight.  Lord,  lead  me  to  the  thankful  acknowledg- 
ment of  past  mercies  ;  and  dispose  me  to  hope  from 
them  for  the  bestowment  of  future  good. — Bring 
me  to  thee,  O  Searcher  of  hearts,  with  humble  con- 
fession of  sins ;  for  it  becomes  me  to  say,  that  in- 
stead of  having  any  claim  to  thine  audience  and 
favour,  I  have  only  deserved  thy  displeasure.  It 
is  of  thy  grace  that  I  am  even  permitted  to  plead 
for  mercy. 

Heavenly  Father,  dispose  me  to  fulfil  every  suita- 
ble occasion  of  devotional  duty.  May  I  love  the 
public  and  social  supplications  of  thy  saints.  Let 
me  not  withhold  the  incense  from  the  family  altar. 
May  I  delight  to  hold  converse  with  thee,  where 
there  is  no  other  eye  to  watch,  and  no  other  ear  to 
hear,  and  where  I  shall  feel  that  I  am  alone  with 
God.  And  give  me,  Blessed  Master,  that  spirit  of 
ejaculatory  prayer,  which  will  purify  every  current 
of  my  thoughts,  and  sanctify  every  business  of  my 
life. — O  Lord,  enable  me,  in  all  the  vicissitudes  of 
life,  to  watch  unto  prayer,  and  to  find  that  it  is  good 
for  me  to  draw  nigh  to  God.  May  I  wrestle,  as  did 
thy  servant  of  old,  who  had  power  with  thee,  and 
prevailed.  And  may  my  soul  ascribe,  in  sincerity 
and  love,  the  praise  of  all  the  mercies  I  derive  from 
thee,  to  thy  matchless  grace  in  the  Redeemer,  both 
now  and  forever.  Amen. 

PRESS. 

God  of  Wisdom,  I  thank  thee  for  the  invention 
of  the  art  of  printing,  by  which  temporal  know- 
ledge and  heavenly  wisdom  have  been  scattered,  in 
copious  pro  fusion,  over  the  face  of  society.  I  desire 
to  regard  it  as  a  noble  instrumentality  for  imbuing 


219 

every  mind  with  useful  learning,  and  every  heart 
with  saving  truth.  Yet  do  thou  teach  me  that  its 
capacity  to  do  good,  is  often  fearfully  perverted  to 
<lo  evil.  For,  O,  its  works  often  teem  with  the 
pages  of  folly  and  slander,  licentiousness  and  infi- 
delity :  and  its  periodical  issues,  which  might  be 
the  guardians  of  public  welfare,  and  the  monitors 
of  public  virtue,  are,  many  of* them,  crowded  with 
scandal  and  falsehood,  vice  and  impiety,  which  de- 
stroy the  common  good,  and  deprave  the  common 
morality.  Gracious  God,  supplant  all  these  cor- 
rupting influences  ;  and  cause  the  whole  power  of 
this  mighty  engine  to  be  exercised  on  behalf  of  the 
temporal  and  eternal  interests  of  the  human  family. 

Lord,  purify  our  literature  in  all  its  forms,  and 
make  it  auxiliary  to  religion.  Elevate  and  sanctify 
the  aims  of  authors,  and  cause  their  fountains  of 
thought  to  flow  forth  in  streams  that  shall  refresh 
and  fertilize  the  human  mind.  Let  intelligence, 
prudence,  and  virtue,  control  our  periodicals  of 
every  class.  Create  distaste  and  aversion  in  the 
reading  public,  towards  every  thing  that  is  subver- 
sive of  morality. 

Merciful  God,  make  the  press  an  important  means 
of  ascertaining  every  disputed  truth  and  duty,  and 
of  fixing  them  on  immovable  foundations.  Pre- 
serve its  liberty,  but  overthrow  its  licentiousness. 
Let  it  circulate  useful  knowledge,  of  every  kind, 
among  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  world.  Make  it 
the  gift  of  tongues,  to  proclaim,  in  every  language, 
the  wonderful  works  of  God.  Let  the  Holy  Bible, 
the  sacred  tract,  the  religious  paper,  and  the  evan- 
gelical volume,  reach  every  household  of  earth,  and 
fill  every  mind  of  man  with  saving  knowledge. 


220 


O  thou  who  hast  said  that  no  flesh  shall  glory  in 
thy  presence,  redeem  and  preserve  me  from  the 
spirit  of  pride.  Show  me  its  folly  and  sinfulness  ; 
and  incline  me  to  watch  closely  against  its  corrupt- 
ing influence  over  my  soul.  Lord,  why  should  a 
worm  of  the  dust,  a  being  of  weakness,  want,  and 
dependence,  exalt  itself  in  the  vanity  of  self-suffi- 
ciency, and  ask  the  tribute  of  praise  or  homage  from 
its  fellow-creatures  I  O,  thou  hatest  pride  ;  thou 
makest  it  go  before  destruction,  and  a  haughty  spirit 
before  a  fall.  Lead  me,  I  pray  thee,  to  reflect  that 
this  wicked  spirit  cast  out  the  rebel  angels  from 
their  first  estate,  into  that  fearful  darkness,  where 
they  are  reserved  in  everlasting  chains  ;  and  that  by 
it  man  was  beguiled,  in  the  garden  of  Paradise,  into 
that  disobedience  which  brought  death  into  the 
world  ;  and  that  it  has  ever  since  been  a  fountain  of 
guilt,  sending  forth  innumerable  streams  of  corrup- 
tion and  desolation.  Enable  me  to  set  this  vice  in 
strong  contrast  with  the  meekness  of  Christ,  and 
with  that  humility,  by  which  are  riches,  and  honour, 
and  life.  Lord,  wherefore  should  I  glory,  since  all 
that  I  am,  and  all  that  I  have,  are  the  gifts  of  thine 
unmerited  goodness  ?  O  do  thou  give  me  such 
abiding  perceptions  of  thy  greatness  and  excellency, 
and  of  my  own  weakness  and  unworthiness — such 
views  of  the  presumption,  sinfulness,  and  danger 
of  pride,  and  of  the  beauty  and  blessedness  of  meek- 
ness— as  shall  lead  me  to  renounce,  at  onee  and  for- 
ever, the  dominion  of  a  haughty  spirit. 

Great  God,  stain  the  pride  of  human  glory.  May 
sinners  learn  the  vanity  and  guilt  of  every  thing 
that  exalts  itself  against  the  will  of  God.  Teach 


221 

them  that  neither  birth,  nor  learning,  nor  wealth, 
nor  rank,  is  noble  in  thy  sight:  while  the  humble 
and  childlike  are  the  greatest  in  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.  O  thou  exalted  Jehovah,  bring  all  their 
thoughts  into  captivity  to  the  obedience  of  Chris L 
Let  them  that  glory,  glory  in  the  Lord  ;  who  thougli 
he  be  to  carnal  men  a  stumblingblock  and  foolish- 
ness, is  yet  to  them  that  are  called,  the  power  of 
God,  and  the  wisdom  of  God,  unto  salvation ! 

PRISONS. 

Lord,  pity  those  whose  crimes  have  brought  on 
them  the  retributions  of  human  justice,  and  who 
are  shut  up  in  the  gloomy  walls  of  the  prison-house. 
Do  thou  kindle  the  sympathies  of  the  humane  for 
them.  Make  them  the  objects,  not  of  exulting  re- 
venge, but  of  reforming  compassion.  Rebuke  the 
indifference  and  neglect  of  thy  people  towards  them. 
May  they  remember  that  it  was  restraining  grace 
which  saved  themselves  from  a  similar  or  worse 
doom.  Let  that  love,  which  teaches  us  to  do  good 
to  those  that  injure  us,  devise  and  execute  blessings 
for  them.  May  they  be  persuaded  that  thy  spirit  is 
able  to  renovate  them,  though  they  be  the  chief  of 
sinners. — God  of  Wisdom,  make  the  laws  that 
punish  criminals  suitable  to  their  several  offences  ; 
and  let  the  certainty,  rather  than  the  seventy,  of  the 
penalty,  be  sought  in  the  enactments  and  execution 
of  justice-  May  the  whole  treatment  of  them  be 
such  as  shall  both  punish  and  reform  them. 

Lord,  I  bless  thee  that  the  attention  of  enlightened 
and  pious  minds  has  been  drawn  to  consider  and 
correct  the  abuses  of  prison  discipline.  By  their 
efforts,  suitable  edifices  have  been  built ;  the  cor- 
ruptions of  free  intercourse  between  the  convicts 
19* 


222 

have  been  prevented  ;  habits  of  industry  and  so- 
briety have  been  formed  ;  useful  knowledge  and  re- 
ligious instruction  have  been  imparted  ;  and  many, 
whose  bondage  on  earth  seemed  to  be  a  certain 
token  of  an  everlasting  captivity,  have  been  made 
to  rejoice  in  the  liberty  of  thy  children.  Extend,  I 
pray  thee,  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  the  blessings  of 
this  system  to  every  prison.  And  grant  that  when 
thou  openest  the  prison-doors  to  them  that  are  bound, 
they  may  go  forth,  not  to  prey  upon,  but  to  bless 
society. 

Gracious  God,  abate  and  remove  the  necessity 
of  punishment,  by  the  decrease  and  extinction  of 
crime.  Let  the  time  soon  come,  when,  in  the  uni- 
versal prevalence  of  virtue,  our  jails  and  peniten- 
tiaries shall  be  crumbling  heaps  of  ruins,  or  stand 
as  monuments  of  past  guilt  and  present  reforma- 
tion. 

PRIVILEGES. — See  Means  of  Grace. 

PROCRASTINATION. 

Lord,  keep  me,  for  Christ's  sake,  from  that  indo- 
lence of  heart,  and  that  aversion  to  duty,  which 
would  lead  me  to  evade  or  postpone  the  claims  of 
present  obedience.  Let  me  not  put  off  for  to-mor- 
row nor  futurity,  that  which  ought  to  be  done  to-day. 
Suffer  not  the  hope  of  a  more  convenient  season  to 
defraud  thee  of  that  service  which  thou  requirest 
of  me  now.  O  grant  me  knowledge  to  discern 
thine  accepted  time,  and  zeal  to  do  at  once,  and 
with  earnest  willingness,  what  my  hand  findeth 
to  do. 

O  Lord,  how  many  have  cheated  their  consciences 
and  expectations,  with  intentions  of  future  repent- 


223 

ance,  and  are  now  reaping  the  bitter  fruits  of  their 
foolish  and  sinful  delay,  where  repentance  never 
comes.  I  beseech  thee,  explode  that  wretched  fal- 
lacy of  hope,  which  binds  up  such  multitudes  in 
the  fetters  of  sloth,  and  delivers  them  over  to  the 
chains  of  the  second  death.  0,  awake  those  who 
are  lulled  by  this  opiate  of  sin,  and  teach  them  the 
vanity  and  guilt  of  delaying  to  make  their  peace 
with  thee.  Let  none  be  deluded  by  the  expectation 
of  a  death-bed  repentance.  Teach  them  how  vain 
it  is  to  expect  that  in  those  hours,  when  the  judg- 
ment is  unfit  to  discharge  the  ordinary  duties  of  life, 
it  shall  be  competent  to  encounter  and  decide  aright, 
the  weighty  interests  of  eternity.  Let  none  deceive 
themselves  with  the  vain  hope  of  waiting  for  God's 
time.  May  they  hear  thy  voice  saying  to  them, 
"  Behold,  now  is  the  accepted  time  :  this  is  the  day 
of  salvation."  Draw  them  unto  thee,  whilst  thou 
art  waiting  to  be  gracious.  Show  them  that  if  they 
will  still  refuse  to  come  to  thee,  their  hearts  wiil 
grow  hard  and  unfeeling ;  thy  Spirit  may  cease*  to 
strive  with  them  ;  the  stroke  of  death  may  cut  them 
off  from  the  dwelling-place  of  mercy;  and  then 
they  will  lift  up  the  unavailing  cry,  "  How  have 
we  hated  instruction,  and  despised  reproof. — The 
harvest  is  past,  and  we  are  not  saved  !" 

PROFANITY. 

Lord,  let  me  not  take  thy  holy  name  in  vain. 
Keep  me  from  profaning  or  abusing  any  thing 
whereby  thou  makest  thyself  known ;  and  lead  me 
into  a  holy  and  reverend  use  of  thy  names,  titles, 
attributes,  ordinances,  word,  and  works. 

Suppress,  I  beseech  thee,  the  profanity  which  so 
shamefully  abounds  in  the  world.  O,  I  would  la- 


224 

ment  before  thee,  that  because  of  swearing,  the  land 
mourneth.  May  all  who  are  guilty  of  this  trans- 
gression, be  persuaded  that  it  is  an  unprovoked,  a 
wilful,  and  presumptuous  sin  against  the  Most  High, 
whose  name  is  exalted,  that  every  knee  should  bow, 
and  every  tongue  confess  before  him,  in  the  deep- 
est reverence  and  self-abasement.  Thou  hast  re- 
vealed thy  name,  and  character,  and  dealings,  that 
mankind  should  praise,  and  supplicate,  and  obey 
thee  :  but  they  have,  in  their  madness  of  heart, 
made  this  knowledge  the  occasion  of  impious  pro- 
faneness.  Lord,  show  them  that  thou  wilt  not  hold 
those  guiltless,  who  take  thy  name  in  vain.  They 
that  love  cursing,  shall  be  cursed.  Adorable  Je- 
hovah, give  them  a  speedy  repentance  and  forsak- 
ing of  their  sin.  Grant  that  every  tongue  which 
has  abused  thy  majesty,  may  become  a  voice  of 
thanksgiving  and  prayer. 

PROMISES. 

^Great  Fountain  of  Blessing,  I  thank  thee  that 
thou  hast  strengthened  the  faith,  and  established  the 
hopes,  of  thy  chosen  people,  throughout  all  genera- 
tions, by  many  precious  promises.  Even  in  that 
day  when  our  first  parents  forfeited,  by  iniquity, 
their  birthright  to  Paradise,  thou  didst  give  the 
pledge  of  thy  truth,  that  the  seed  of  the  woman 
should  bruise  the  serpent's  head,  and  thus  recover 
our  race  from  the  ruins  of  the  apostasy.  And  ever 
since,  in  all  thy  revelations  to  men,  thou  hast  been 
pleased  to  declare,  abundantly,  thy  rich  purposes  of 
merey.  They  are  scattered  over  every  page  of  thy 
word  ;  they  are  suited  to  every  variety  of  Christian 
experience  and  trial ;  and  they  are  so  plain,  that  he 
who  runs  may  read.  The  history  of  thy  heritage, 


225 

in  all  ages,  has  borne  witness  that  they  are  steadfast 
and  true ;  for  they  are  established  on  the  faithful- 
ness of  the  God  of  Truth.  Lord,  I  desire  to  mag- 
nify and  extol  thee  for  those  assurances  of  comfort 
in  this  life,  and  of  bliss  in  that  to  come,  which 
gather  in  countless  profusion  around  the  cross  of 
Christ.  Blessed  be  thy  name,  thy  promises  are 
Yea  and  Amen  in  him,  unto  the  glory  of  God. 

O  that  they  might  be  embalmed  in  my  memory, 
and  be  cherished  in  my  confidence  ;  for  they  are 
more  precious  than  rubies,  and  more  enduring  than 
the  foundations  of  the  earth.  Make  them,  I  beseech 
thee,  the  means  of  dispelling  my  sorrows,  of  scatter- 
ing my  doubts,  and  of  exciting  my  zeal.  May  I 
regard  them  with  overflowing  gratitude  to  thee,  as 
the  pledges  of  thine  eternal  truth  and  goodness  ;  as 
the  beacons  which  thou  hast  set  to  light  up  the 
gloomy  pathways  of  life,  and  to  throw  over  the 
pillow  of  death,  the  dawning  beams  of  an  unclouded 
immortality. 

O  God,  fulfil  speedily  thy  promises  to  the  Daugh- 
ter of  Zion.  Let  not  her  ways  mourn,  nor  her  gates 
be  desolate,  nor  her  priests  sigh,  nor  her  people  be 
in  bitterness.  Put  off  her  sackcloth,  and  gird  her 
with  gladness.  Give  her  the  garments  of  praise 
for  the  spirit  of  heaviness.  Cause  her  righteous- 
ness to  go  forth  as  brightness,  and  her  salvation  as 
a  lamp  that  burneth.  O  create  her  a  rejoicing,  and 
thy  people  a  joy,  throughout  the  whole  earth. 

PROSPERITY. 

Lord,  suffer  me  not  to  be  anxious  for  worldly 
prosperity.  O  let  me  not  forget  its  fearful  dangers 
— how  often  it  leads  the  soul  away  in  forgetfulness 
and  ingratitude  from  God  ;  how  it  binds  the  heart  in 


226 

the  fetters  of  worldly  conformity  and  self-indul 
gence  ;  how  it  nourishes  pride,  indolence,  and  un- 
feelingness,  and  palsies  faith,  zeal,  and  prayer. 

Lord,  if  it  please  thee  to  bestow  abundance  on 
me,  enable  me  to  us&it,  not  in  fulfilling  the  lust  of 
the  flesh,  but  for  thy  glory  and  the  good  of  man. 
If  riches  increase,  let  me  not  set  my  heart  upon 
them.  Make  me  willing  to  surrender  them  at  thy 
call.  May  I  remember  that  the  duration  of  their 
enjoyment  must  at  best  be  short;  that  their  plea- 
sures are  mixed  with  vanity  and  vexation  of  spirit ; 
and  that  thou  wilt  judge  men  according  to  the  plenty 
they  enjoy  from  thee.  O  give  me  such  views  of 
thy  better  inheritance,  as  shall  preserve  me  from 
the  thraldom  of  those  vices  which  spring  from  a 
prosperous  life.  Give  such  strength  to  my  hope  of 
the  eternal  weight  of  glory,  that  all  the  enjoyments 
of  earth  shall  be  barren  and  tasteless  in  the  infinite 
contrast.  O  make  me  ever  mindful  of  the  solemn 
warning,  "  How  hardly  shall  they  that  have  riches, 
enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God  !" 

Heavenly  Father,  let  me  not  be  envious  nor  re- 
bellious when  I  see  the  prosperity  of  the  wicked. 
Surely  thou  hast  set  them  in  slippery  places.  They 
that  will  be  rich  fall  into  temptations  and  snares, 
and  into  many  foolish  and  hurtful  lusts,  which  drown 
men  in  destruction  and  perdition.  Lord,  what  shall 
it  profit  a  man  if  he  gain  the  whole  world,  and  lose 
his  own  soul  ? 

God  of  Beneficence,  enlarge  the  souls  of  those  on 
whom  thou  hast  cast  the  mantle  of  plenty.  May 
they  bless  the  Lord,  and  forget  not  all  his  benefits. 
Make  them  rich  in  good  works,  and  ready  to  distri- 
bute, according  as  thou  hast  prospered  them.  Teach 
them  that  the  silver  and  the  gold  are  thine,  and 


227 

make  them  the  stewards  of  thy  bounty — willing 
instruments  in  sustaining  and  enlarging  every  work, 
of  faith  and  labour  of  love.  Give  them  grace  to  lay 
up  treasures  in  heaven,  where  moth  and  rust  do  not 
corrupt,  and  where  thieves  cannot  break  through  and 
steal. 

PROVIDENCE. 

Great  Sovereign,  thou  hast  prepared  thy  throne 
in  the  heavens,  and  thy  kingdom  ruleth  over  all. 
Thou  dost  thy  will  in  the  army  of  heaven,  and 
among  the  inhabitants  of  earth  ;  and  none  can  stay 
thy  hand,  nor  say  unto  thee,  "  What  dost  thou  ?" 
Thou  callest  the  stars  by  name,  and  numberest  the 
hairs  of  our  heads  :  thou  upholdest  the  sparrow,  and 
givest  strength  to  the  seraph.  Lord,  I  would  praise 
thee  for  thy  most  holy,  wise,  and  powerful  preserv- 
ing and  governing  all  thy  creatures.  If  thou  shouldst 
withdraw  the  energies  of  thy  power  from  the  works 
of  thy  hands,  they  would  all  fall  back  at  once  into 
non-existence.  But  blessed  be  thy  name,  thy  do- 
minion is  an  everlasting  dominion,  and  thy  king- 
dom is  from  generation  to  generation. 

Great  God,  enable  me  to  see  and  acknowledge 
thy  hand  in  all  the  movements  of  thy  providence. 
Make  me  realize  my  immediate  and  absolute  depend- 
ence on  thee,  and  my  obligations  to  thy  preserving 
and  governing  wisdom.  Suffer  me  not  to  impeach 
any  of  thy  ways  :  for  though  thy  dealings  may  often 
seem  to  the  eye  of  feeble  sense  to  be  confused  or 
mysterious,  yet  in  thy  sight  they  stand  in  perfect 
order,  and  are  clothed  with  unshadowed  light. 
Make  me  submissive  to  every  token  of  thy  will. 
May  I  praise  thee  in  joy  and  in  grief:  because  it 
is  the  Lord  that  giveth,  and  that  taketh  away.  Thou 


228 

art  indeed  wonderful  in  counsel,  and  excellent  in 
working.  Thou  givest  the  mercies  of  every  day's 
life  to  the  evil,  as  well  as  to  the  good.  But  it  is 
only  for  them  that  love  thee,  that  thou  makest  thy 
providence  and  grace  work  together  for  good. — 
Exalted  Jehovah,  may  the  solemn  truth  that  thy 
kingdom  ruleth  over  all,  lead  me  to  seek  thy  favour, 
as  the  chief  blessing  of  life  ;  and  to  do  thy  pleasure, 
as  it  is  done  in  heaven. 

PRUDENCE. 

O  thou  who  only  art  wise,  vouchsafe  to  me  that 
prudence  which  is  the  dwelling-place  of  wisdom. 
Preserve  me  from  a  heedless  and  an  impetuous 
spirit.  Make  every  purpose  of  my  heart,  and  every 
action  of  my  life,  the  result  of  prayerful  considera- 
tion. Dispose  me,  I  pray  thee,  to  pursue  every 
right  object  with  a  proper  spirit.  Let  me  not  be 
governed  by  any  rules  of  policy  which  are  incon- 
sistent with  a  good  conscience  ;  nor  do  evil  that 
good  may  come.  Instruct  me  in  all  my  personal 
and  relative  duties  ;  and  give  me  sanctified  know- 
ledge and  discreet  zeal,  to  meet  and  discharge  them, 
in  the  sight  of  God.  Grant  me  the  instruction  of 
thy  word,  which  is  able  to  make  me  wise  unto  sal- 
vation ;  and  the  teachings  of  thy  Spirit,  which  search- 
est  the  deep  things  of  God,  and  beareth  witness 
with  my  conscience,  whether  I  walk  in  the  way, 
the  truth,  and  the  life. 

REGENERATION. — See  Conversion. 

REPENTANCE. 

Heavenly  Father,  grant  me  repentance  unto  life, 
through  the  merits  of  the  Saviour.  Give  me,  I  be- 


229 

seech  thee,  a  true  sense  of  my  sin.  It  is  against 
thee,  O  Lord,  I  have  sinned.  I  have  broken  thy 
holy,  wise,  and  benevolent  law,  ways  and  times  be- 
yond number.  I  have  sinned  against  the  teachings 
of  thy  word,  against  the  testimonies  of  conscience, 
against  the  drawings  of  thy  love,  and  against  the 
strivings  of  thy  Spirit.  My  transgressions  may 
have  led  others  into  the  paths  of  evil,  and  thus  have 
been  instrumental  in  loading  their  souls  with  guilt. 
Mine  iniquities  have  cast  reproach  on  thy  cause  in 
the  world  ;  and  they  have  shut  out  the  precious 
light  of  thy  countenance  from  my  soul.  O  God, 
make  me  feel  how  hateful  my  sin  is  in  thy  sight, 
and  that  the  perfections  of  thy  nature  are  pledged 
for  its  punishment.  O  thou  hast  spread  wide  and 
deep,  the  lake  of  unquenchable  fire — thou  hast  built, 
with  everlasting  strength,  the  prison-walls  of  hell — 
where  the  unrepenting  sinner  will  dwell  in  torment 
forever. 

Lord,  I  implore  thee  to  give  me  deep  convictions 
of  the  atrocious  guilt  and  soul-destroying  danger  of 
sin.  Grant  me  feelings  of  strong  abhorrence  to- 
wards it.  Incline  me  to  mourn,  with  bitterness  of 
heart,  over  my  transgressions.  Imbue  me  with 
courage,  to  resolve  to  forsake  them,  and  with 
strength,  to  turn  from  them  unto  thee,  with  earnest 
endeavours  after  new  obedience.  Teach  me,  that 
he  who  turns  not  away  from  every  sin,  turns  not 
aright  from  any  sin.  O  let  not  mine  be  the  sorrow 
of  the  world,  that  worketh  death  ;  but  a  godly  sor- 
row, that  worketh  repentance  to  salvation,  not  to  be 
repented  of.  Bring  me  to  thee,  crying,  "  Lord,  save 
me,  or  I  perish."  And  say  to  me  in  thy  mercy, 
44 Son,  be  of  good  cheer;  thy  sins  be  forgiven 
thee." 

20 


230 

O  God,  kindle  a  fire  in  the  consciences  of  the 
impenitent,  that  shall  cleanse  them  from  the  love  of 
sin,  and  purify  them  unto  thee,  in  holiness  of  heart 
and  life.  Convince  them  of  the  evil  nature,  and 
fearful  consequences  of  their  iniquity.  Show  them 
that  thou  art  waiting  to  be  gracious,  and  that  thou 
hast  no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  them  that  die,  but 
that  they  turn  and  live.  Turn  them  from  the  error 
of  their  ways,  and  lead  them  into  the  path  of  the 
just.  Induce  them  to  forsake  their  sins,  and  to 
bring  forth  fruits  meet  for  repentance.  Incline  them 
to  obey  thy  will  from  the  heart ,  not  that  they  may 
seek,  by  the  deeds  of  the  law,  to  be  justified  in 
thy  sight ;  but  that  he  who  was  delivered  for  their 
offences,  may  be  made  their  justification  and  com- 
plete salvation. 

RE  PROOF. 

O  thou  Holy  One,  suffer  me  to  have  no  fellow- 
ship with  the  unfruitful  works  of  darkness,  but  may 
I  rather  reprove  them.  Cause  my  conduct  to  stand 
forth  as  a  sentence  of  condemnation  against  them, 
both  in  my  scrupulously  avoiding  that  which  is  evil, 
and  resolutely  cleaving  to  that  which  is  good.  Give 
me  a  holy  courage  to  bear  the  testimony  of  my 
voice  against  transgression.  But,  O,  let  it  not  be 
done  in  anger,  but  in  love  and  humility,  and  with 
prayer. — Lord,  may  I  be  encouraged  in  this  duty, 
by  remembering  that  it  is  thy  will  that  we  should 
in  any  wise  rebuke  our  neighbour,  and  not  suffer 
sin  upon  him. — If  any  of  the  brethren  be  overtaken 
in  a  fault,  make  me  feel  that  it  is  both  my  duty  and 
privilege  to  restore  such  a  one,  in  the  spirit  of  meek- 
ness. Show  me  that  the  eternal  interests  of  the 
ungodly  require  me  to  take  up  this  cross  ;  for  the 


231 

want  of  my  reproof  may  leave  him  unmolested  in 
his  sin,  to  spread  its  contagion  on  others,  and  to  go 
down  with  it  to  the  bosom  of  perdition  ;  while  my 
faithfulness  may  be  the  blessed  means  of  redeeming 
him  from  the  dominion  of  iniquity,  and  of  leading 
him  to  seek  the  salvation  of  his  soul. 

Lord,  dispose  me  to  receive  rebuke  with  meek- 
ness and  thankfulness.  Make  me  open  to  convic- 
tion, and  dispose  me  to  acknowledge  and  forsake 
my  evil.  O  may  all  that  are  the  subjects  of  Chris- 
tian reproof,  reflect,  that  he  who  is  often  reproved, 
and  still  hardeneth  his  neck,  shall  suddenly  be  de- 
stroyed, and  that  without  remedy. 

RESIGNATION. — See  Affliction,  Submission. 

RESURRECTION. 

God  of  the  living,  thou  hast  revealed  the  doc- 
trine that  thou  wilt  raise  these  mortal  frames,  at  the 
day  of  judgment,  from  their  long  decay  of  death, 
and  make  them  joint-heirs  with  our  spirits  in  the 
retributions  of  eternity.  All  that  are  in  the  graves 
shall  hear  thy  voice,  and  shall  come  forth  ;  they 
that  have  done  good,  unto  the  resurrection  of  life  ; 
and  they  that  have  done  evil,  unto  the  resurrection 
of  damnation. 

Lord,  I  thank  thee  that  our  Blessed  Saviour  be- 
came the  first-fruits  of  them  that  slept ;  thus  setting 
the  seal  of  heaven  to  the  truth  of  his  gospel,  and 
to  the  hope  of  our  resurrection.  If  Christ  be  not 
risen,  then  is  our  faith  vain.  But,  thanks  be  to  thy 
name,  he  has  the  keys  of  death,  and  could  not  be 
holden  of  it :  and  as  we  believe  that  Jesus  died  and 
rose  again,  even  so  them  also  which  sleep  in  Jesus, 
will  God  bring  with  him.  O  may  I  rejoice  in  the 


232 

hope,  that  though  after  my  skin,  worms  destroy  my 
body,  yet  in  my  flesh,  I  shall  see  God,  and  be  for- 
ever with  the  Lord.  O  grant  that  when  the  earth 
shall  cast  forth  her  dead,  this  corruptible  may  put 
on  incorruption,  and  this  mortality  put  on  immor- 
tality, and  be  fashioned  like  unto  Christ's  glorious 
body,  according  to  the  working  whereby  he  is  able 
to  subdue  all  things  to  himself. 

RETIREME  NT. 

Lord,  dispose  and  enable  me  to  cultivate  and  en- 
joy the  blessings  of  Christian  retirement.  Grant 
me  many  of  those  precious  hours  of  peaceful  seclu- 
sion, in  which  I  shall  find  rest  from  the  cares  and 
corruptions  of  the  world,  and  reflect  on  my  past  con- 
duct, my  present  character,  and  my  future  purposes. 

0  may  they  be  seasons  when  I  shall  fill  with  hea- 
venly oil,  and  kindle  with  holy  fire,  the  lamp  of  my 
profession  ;  and  when  I  shall  hold  sweet  communion 
with  thee  at  thy  mercy-seat.     Vouchsafe  that  when 

1  thus  retire  from  the  world,  it  may  be  in  order  to 
replenish  my  soul,  and  return  again  to  the  duties  of 
life,    strengthened   by  thy  grace,  and  richly  laden 
with  gospel  blessings.     O  thou  who  didst  seek  the 
lonely  desert,  the  solitary  mountain,  and  the  covert 
of  night,  make  my  withdrawings  from  the  busy 
scenes  of  earth,  such  as  thine  own  were — hours 
full  of  holy  love  to  God,  and  fraught  with  good-will 
to  man. 

REVENGE. 

Heavenly  Father,  convince  my  judgment  of  the 
folly,  and  my  heart  of  the  sin,  of  revenge.  Per- 
suade me  that  it  can  neither  preserve  me  from  harm, 
nor  procure  me  any  good  ;  while  it  stirs  up  wrath 


233 

and  retaliation,  and  arrays  against  it  the  anger  of  a 
holy  God.  I  pray  thee,  for  the  sake  of  Jesus,  let 
me  not  render  evil  for  evil  to  any  man.  Give  me 
patience  under  provocation,  meekness  under  injury, 
and  good-will  under  revenge.  Suffer  me  not,  in 
any  case,  to  avenge  myself:  for  vengeance  is  thine, 
and  thou  wilt  repay. 

REVIVALS. 

Blessed  God,  revive  thy  work  ;  in  the  midst  of 
the  years  make  known  ;  in  wrath  remember  mercy. 
Let  not  thy  heritage  be  in  bondage  to  sin  and  sloth- 
fulness  ;  nor  the  ungodly  go  down  to  death,  with- 
out the  strong,  and  special,  and  redeeming  influences 
of  thy  Holy  Spirit.  Let  thy  work  appear  unto  thy 
servants,  and  thy  glory  unto  their  children  :  and  let 
the  beauty  of  the  Lord  our  God  be  upon  us.  Make 
the  wilderness  like  Eden ;  and  the  desert  like  the 
garden  of  the  Lord  :  let  joy  and  gladness  be  found 
therein,  with  thanksgiving  and  the  voice  of  melody. 

Great  God,  may  all  thy  ministers  be  indeed 
preachers  of  righteousness,  and  ambassadors  for 
Christ.  Sanctify  their  motives,  and  inflame  their 
zeal.  Give  them  wisdom  to  devise,  and  faithfulness 
to  execute,  such  efforts  as  shall  promote  thy  glory, 
in  the  work  of  saving  souls.  Let  them  not  heal 
the  hurt  of  the  daughter  of  thy  people  slightly  ; 
saying,  "  Peace,  peace,"  when  there  is  no  peace. 
May  they  search  Jerusalem,  as  with  lighted  candles; 
and  apply  thy  truth  to  all  their  hearers,  with  plain- 
ness, fulness,  and  pungency.  Bless  the  word  of 
their  mouth,  and  accompany  it  with  the  demonstra- 
tion of  thy  Spirit. 

O  Lord,  let  judgment  begin  at  the  house  of  God. 
Take  away  the  hopes  of  those  who  have  the  form  of 
20* 


234 

godliness,  without  its  power.  Convince  thy  people 
of  sin  against  thee,  against  each  other,  and  against 
the  souls  of  the  ungodly.  Bring  them  to  repent- 
ance that  needeth  not  to  be  repented  of.  Break 
from  them  the  fetters  with  which  the  world,  the 
flesh,  and  the  devil,  have  encompassed  them.  Give 
them  that  clearness  and  strength  of  faith,  by  which 
they  shall  learn  the  value  of  their  own  souls,  and 
the  worth  of  the  souls  of  perishing  sinners  around 
them. 

Heavenly  Father,  burden  the  hearts  of  thy  people 
with  earnest  desires  for  the  revival  of  pure  and  un- 
defiled  religion.  May  they  present  fervent,  impor- 
tunate, and  believing  prayer,  at  the  throne  of  thy 
grace,  for  the  prosperity  of  Zion,  and  the  salvation 
of  the  ungodly.  O  fill  them  with  thy  Spirit,  and 
cause  them  to  abound  in  love,  zeal,  and  holiness. 
May  they  love  the  places  where  supplication  is 
wont  to  be  made,  and  where  souls  have  been  born 
to  God.  Give  them  grace  to  uphold,  by  prayer, 
the  hands  of  thy  ministers,  whilst  thou  art  using 
such  to  carry  forward  the  triumphs  of  the  gospel. 
Make  thy  saints  willing  to  adopt  and  sustain  those 
measures  which  are  agreeable  to  thy  will,  and  which 
receive  the  abiding  sanction  of  thy  Spirit.  Lord, 
cast  up  and  remove  every  stumblingblock  out  of 
the  ways  of  Zion.  Give  thy  servants  unity  of  feel- 
ing and  action  ;  and  lead  them  to  act  in  the  faith  of 
thy  word,  wherein  thou  hast  said,  that  if  two  shall 
agree  on  earth,  as  touching  any  thing  they  shall  ask, 
it  shall  be  done  for  them  of  our  Father  in  heaven. 
Let  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  our  God  be  upon  them  ; 
and  establish  the  work  of  their  hands  upon  them  : 
yea,  the  work  of  their  hands,  establish  thou  it. 

O  Most  High,  visit  with  convincing  and  convert- 


235 

ing  power,  the  consciences  of  sinners.  Bring  them 
within  the  reach  of  the  preached  gospel,  and  the 
hearing  of  effectual  prayer.  May  thy  Spirit  set 
home  to  their  hearts  the  truth,  which  is  able  to 
make  them  wise  unto  salvation.  Make  them  feel 
deeply,  that  they  are  guilty  before  thee  ;  and  that 
instead  of  having  the  offer  of  salvation,  thy  right- 
eous letribution  would  blast  them  in  everlasting 
death.  O,  may  they  cherish  the  workings  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  within  them,  and  fear  lest  that  Divine 
Agent  give  them  up  to  blindness  of  mind,  and  hard- 
ness of  heart.  Let  that  godly  sorrow,  which  work- 
eth  life,  possess  every  feeling  of  their  souls.  Show 
them  that  now  is  the  accepted  time,  and  this  the  day 
of  salvation.  Give  them  clear,  and  convincing,  and 
persuading  views  of  Christ,  as  the  only,  and  all- 
sufficient,  and  infinitely  willing  Saviour.  O  God, 
grant,  for  the  honour  of  Jesus,  that  now,  whilst 
thou  art  waiting  to  be  gracious,  they  may  renounce 
their  iniquities,  receive  Christ,  as  he  is  freely  of- 
fered in  the  gospel,  and  give  themselves  to  thee,  in 
a  covenant  never  to  be  forgotten. 

Lord  of  Hosts,  make  the  fruits  of  revivals  glo- 
rious in  the  history  of  thy  church.  May  their  con- 
verts to  righteousness  be  for  multitude,  as  the  drops 
of  the  dew  in  the  morning.  May  they  be  distin- 
guished for  consistent  piety  and  holy  zeal,  and  be 
honoured  instruments  in  multiplying  the  trophies 
of  redeeming  grace,  until  the  Lord  shall  have  made 
bare  his  holy  arm  in  the  eyes  of  all  the  nations ; 
and  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  shall  have  seen  the 
salvation  of  our  God.  And  to  God,  the  Father, 
Son,  and  Spirit,  shall  be  all  the  praise  in  earth  and 
heaven,  now  and  forever.  Amen. 


236 

RICHES. — See  Prosperity. 

RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

O  thou  who  art  righteous  in  all  thy  thoughts, 
purposes,  and  ways,  give  me,  I  pray  thee,  the  cha- 
racter and  blessings  of  righteousness.  Make  me 
just  to  thee,  to  myself,  and  to  my  fellow-creatures. 
But,  O  keep  me  from  trusting  to  my  own  fancied 
merits.  Rebuke  and  dispel  every  thing  like  self- 
confidence,  and  lead  me  humbly  to  the  foot  of  the 
cross,  there  to  find  both  the  mercy  of  acceptance, 
and  the  grace  of  obedience.  Behold,  O  God,  my 
Shield,  and  look  upon  the  face  of  thine  Anointed. 
May  he  be  for  me  the  end  of  the  law  for  righteous- 
ness. May  I  desire  to  be  found  only  in  him,  not 
having  on  mine  own  righteousness,  which  is  of  the 
law  ;  but  that  which  is  through  the  faith  of  Christ, 
and  which  is  of  God,  by  faith.  O,  may  the  accept- 
ed works  which  flow  from  that  atoning  union  with 
him,  be  found  in  all  my  walk  and  conversation. 
Cleanse  me  from  dead  works  to  serve  the  living 
God.  Make  me  diligent  in  working  out  my  own 
salvation,  knowing  that  thou  workest  in  me  both  to 
will  and  to  do,  of  thine  own  good  pleasure.  May 
I  love  mercy  and  do  justice  towards  all  men;  and 
whatsoever  I  would  that  they  should  do  to  me,  in 
temporal  or  spiritual  things,  may  I  do  even  so  to 
them. — Blessed  Source  of  all  good,  fill  me  with  the 
fruits  of  righteousness,  which  are  by  Jesus  Christ, 
unto  the  glory  and  praise  of  God. 

SABBATH. 

O  thou  that  hearest  and  answerest  prayer  for  the 
merits  of  Jesus,  the  Heavenly  Advocate,  give  me 


237 

grace,  I  beseech  thee,  to  remember  the  Sabbath-day, 
to  keep  it  holy.  In  six  days  thou  didst  make 
heaven,  earth,  and  sea ;  and  didst  rest  the  seventh 
day  :  wherefore  thou  hast  blessed  the  Sabbath,  and 
hallowed  it.  I  thank  thee,  God  of  Mercy,  for  that 
consecrated  season,  in  which  thou  givest  rest  to  our 
wearied  natures,  and  affordest  us  leisure  for  reflec- 
tion on  our  duties  in  this  world,  and  our  destinies 
in  the  world  to  come.  I  thank  thee  for  its  privileges 
of  praise,  of  prayer,  and  of  instruction,  by  which 
thy  saints  are  built  up  in  faith  and  zeal,  and  sinners 
are  brought  from  the  darkness  and  iniquity  of  carnal 
nature,  to  the  light  and  holiness  of  heavenly  grace. 
I  would  praise  thee  that  there  still  remaineth  this 
rest  to  the  people  of  God.  Thou  hast  made  the 
Sabbath  for  man ;  and  thou  hast  abolished  neither 
its  privileges  nor  its  duties  ;  but  thou  wilt  continue 
them  down  to  the  end  of  the  world. 

O  that  I  might  always  be  in  the  Spirit  on  the 
Lord's-day. — May  I  remember  that  thou  hast  given 
me  six  days  of  the  week  for  my  own  employments, 
and  hast  challenged  a  special  ownership  of  the 
seventh  ;  and  that  thou  hast  given  it  the  sanction  of 
thine  own  example  and  blessing.  O  let  me  not 
profane  that  holy  time  by  idleness  ;  nor  by  doing 
that  which  is  in  itself  sinful ;  nor  by  unnecessary 
thoughts,  words,  or  works,  about  worldly  employ- 
ments or  recreations.  May  I  sanctify  it  by  a  holy 
resting,  even  from  such  avocations  as  are  lawful  on 
other  days  ;  and  spend  all  its  sacred  hours  in  the 
public  and  private  exercises  of  God's  worship  ; 
except  so  much  as  may  be  taken  up  in  the  works 
of  necessity  and  mercy.  Let  that  day  ever  be  a 
precious  occasion,  wherein  thy  love  shall  be  richly 
manifested  to  me,  and  my  affections  shall  hold  free, 


238 

and  holy,  and  rejoicing  communion  with  thy  Spirit. 
May  I  be  prepared  by  its  sanctifying  duties  and  re- 
viving pleasures,  for  serving  thee  and  mankind 
better,  in  all  the  relations  of  life.  O  make  it  a 
blessed  type  of  that  eternal  Sabbath,  which  is  re- 
served for  the  pure  in  heart,  in  the  regions  of  un- 
mingled  bliss.  , 

Lord,  save  thy  holy  day  from  the  desecration 
which  has  been  so  fearfully  brought  upon  it.  Thou 
seest  how  men  pursue  on  it  their  carnal  pleasures 
and  worldly  interests,  regardless  of  thy  statutes, 
and  the  ultimate  welfare  of  their  country,  and  of 
mankind.  Even  those  who  have  made  a  covenant 
with  thee,  to  keep  thy  commandments,  sometimes 
join  hand  in  hand  with  the  ungodly,  in  these  pro- 
fanations of  sacred  time.  O  that  thy  people  would 
set  their  faces  as  flint  against  these  transgressions, 
and  bear  the  testimony  of  their  voice  and  conduct 
against  them.  Bring  not  thy  wrath  upon  our  land, 
because  its  inhabitants  make  the  Sabbath  their  sea- 
son of  amusement,  convenience,  and  lucre.  Teach 
all  men  that  it  is  thine  imperative  will,  that  they 
should  sanctify  that  day  :  and  that  thou  hast  judg- 
ments in  store  for  its  transgressors  : — while  they 
who  turn  away  their  feet  from  polluting  it,  and  from 
doing  their  pleasure  on  it,  and  shall  call  the  Sabbath 
a  delight,  the  holy  of  the  Lord,  honourable  ;  and 
shall  honour  thee,  not  doing  their  own  ways,  nor 
finding  their  own  pleasure,  nor  speaking  their  own 
words — they  shall  ride  upon  the  high  places  of  the 
earth,  and  shall  be  fed  with  the  heritage  of  Jacob  ; 
for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it ! 


239 


SABBATH-SCHOOLS. 

Lord,  thou  hast  taught  us  that  it  is  lawful  to  do 
well  on  the  Sabbath-day.  I  thank  thee.  that  in 
mercy  towards  the  ignorance  and  wickedness  of  the 
world,  thou  hast  established  the  system  of  Sunday- 
schools.  I  would  praise  thee  that  they  have  been 
spread  so  widely,  and  that  so  many  heart-cheering 
fruits  have  sprung  from  them.  Thou  hast  made 
them  instrumental  in  elevating  the  standard  of  re- 
ligious knowledge,  and  active  piety,  in  the  church. 
They  have  been  the  means  of  dispelling  ignorance 
and  superstition,  and  of  moulding  the  character  of 
our  youth  in  right  knowledge  and  moral  feeling. 
And  blessed  be  thy  mercy  for  that  which  is  worth 
more  than  every  other  blessing  ;  they  have  been 
made  the  nurseries  of  the  Lord,  from  which  many 
plants  of  righteousness  have  been  transferred  to  the 
gardens  of  thy  church,  there  to  bear  fruit  unto 
eternal  life.  And  of  these,  not  a  few  are  now  sing- 
ing, in  everlasting  bliss,  the  song  of  redemption  to 
him  who  said,  "  Suffer  little  children  to  come  unto 
me,  and  forbid  them  not ;  for  of  such  is  the  king- 
dom of  heaven." 

Gracious  God,  I  would  humbly  trust  that  these 
things  are  but  the  introductory  tokens  of  the  glorious 
influences  which  this  heaven-born  system  will  yet 
exert  on  behalf  of  our  ruined  race.  Lord,  am  I 
not  warranted,  from  thy  word,  and  from  the  nature 
of  things,  to  expect  that  the  religious  instruction  of 
our  children  and  youth,  when  it  shall  become  uni- 
versal, and  shall  be  conducted  with  that  preparation 
of  the  heart  and  answer  of  the  tongue,  which  are 
from  the  Lord, — will  secure  that  outpouring  of  thy 


240 

Holy  Spirit,  which  will  fill  the  earth  with  thy  know- 
ledge, even  as  the  waters  cover  the  deep  ? 

Great  Shepherd  of  Israel,  may  all  that  seek  the 
prevalence  and  triumph  of  the  gospel,  give  this 
cause  their  sanction  and  help. — Make  thy  ministers 
watchmen  and  husbandmen  in  it,  who  shall  give  it 
the  service  of  the  eye,  and  of  the  lips,  and  of  the 
hands,  with  willing  and  diligent  hearts. — May  all 
who  have  made  a  covenant  with  thee  by  sacrifice, 
and  who  stand  pledged  that  they  will  not  live  unto 
themselves,  inquire  what  thou  wilt  have  them  to  do 
in  this  labour  of  love.  O  that  there  were  heart- 
burnings of  shame,  and  deep  repentings  of  soul, 
among  those  who  have  refused  to  come  up  to  the 
help  of  the  Lord,  in  this  work  of  faith. — Lord,  give 
this  cause  favour  in  the  eyes  of  parents,  and  of  the 
world  at  large.  May  they  all  delight  to  honour  and 
promote  it. 

Father  of  Mercies,  I  would  invoke  thy  blessing 
on  all  who  are  engaged  in  it  as  teachers.  Give 
them  knowledge  to  discern,  and  zeal  to  fulfil,  the 
important  duties  of  their  office.  Show  them  that 
their  service  relates  to  filling  the  immortal  mind 
with  the  riches  of  religious  knowledge  ;  and  to  con- 
verting the  soul  from  sin  and  death  unto  holiness 
and  everlasting  life.  O  that  they  would  understand, 
and  meet,  and  discharge,  these  awfully  solemn  re- 
sponsibilities ! — Lord,  give  them  grace  to  help  in  all 
their  times  of  need.  May  they  live  in  constant  de- 
pendence on  the  teaching  and  blessing  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.  Put  into  their  hearts  that  well  of  living 
water,  which  springs  up  into  everlasting  life  ;  and 
let  every  work  of  their  hands  be  nourished  by  that 
fountain  of  piety  within  them. — May  they  teach  by 
a  living  example,  that  shall  be  seen  and  read  by 


241 

ail  their  scholars — that  shall  make  them  as  a  city- 
set  on  a  hill — that  shall  be  as  salt  to  purify  and 
save  their  classes. — Give  them  an  ample  and  well- 
digested  knowledge  of  divine  truth.  Make  them 
wise  in  the  treasures  of  the  book  of  nature,  and  the 
volume  of  thy  providence.  Make  them  apt  to  teach 
— in  simplicity,  in  patience,  in  love,  in  judgment, 
and  in  perseverance. — May  all  teachers  love  each 
other  out  of  pure  hearts,  fervently ;  and  keep  the 
unity  of  the  spirit,  in  the  bond  of  peace.  Make 
them  helpers  to  each  other  in  mutual  study,  and  in 
private  and  social  prayer. — Preserve  their  hearts 
from  the  influence  of  the  discouragements  which 
beset  their  office.  Let  them  not  be  cast  down,  nor 
driven  back  from  their  work,  by  difficulties  within 
the  school,  or  by  apathy  or  opposition  without  it. 
Let  them  not  be  weary  in  well-doing  ;  but  do  thou 
strengthen  them  by  thy  precious  promises,  that  in 
due  season  they  shall  reap,  if  they  faint  not ;  and 
that  though  they  may  now  often  go  forth,  bearing 
precious  seed,  and  weeping,  yet  they  shall  hereafter 
return,  bringing  many  sheaves  with  them. 

Heavenly  Father,  visit  by  thy  mercy,  those  who 
are  taught  in  Sunday-schools.  Though  foolishness 
is  bound  up  in  their  hearts,  thou  canst  supplant  it 
by  divine  wisdom.  Though  thou  seest  that  the 
imagination  of  their  hearts  is  evil,  thou  canst  create 
in  them  a  new  heart,  and  renew  a  right  spirit  with- 
in them. — Lord,  make  them  punctual,  attentive, 
obedient,  and  diligent.  Seal  instruction  on  their 
minds.  Let  not  thy  word  return  from  them  void; 
but  do  thou  prosper  it  in  the  thing  whereunto  thou 
sendest  it.  Let  it  not  be  as  water  that  is  spilled  on 
the  ground,  and  cannot  be  gathered.  O  make  their 
hearts  as  good  ground,  which  will  give  growth  to 
21 


242 

the  seed  of  truth,  and  produce  rich  harvests  of  spi- 
ritual good.  May  they  learn  the  worth  of  the  un- 
dying soul ;  the  guilt  which  sin  has  brought  on 
them  ;  and  the  fearful  wrath  which  hangs  over  them 
in  their  impenitency.  Show  them,  O  Lord,  the 
way  thou  hast  provided,  of  escape  from  their  guilt 
and  danger  ;  and  do  thou  persuade  and  enable  them, 
by  the  power  of  the  Spirit,  to  receive  Jesus  as  their 
Teacher,  Saviour,  and  Ruler.  Merciful  Father, 
may  it  please  thee  to  add  to  thy  church  from  their 
number,  many  of  such  as  shall  be  saved.  Raise  up 
from  them  many  who  shall  be  burning  and  shining 
lights — many  who  shall  be  abundantly  blessed  in 
the  work  of  saving  souls. 

Lord,  I  offer  these  entreaties,  not  in  my  own 
merits,  which  are  worthless  in  thy  sight,  but  in  the 
name  of  the  Beloved — unto  whom,  with  the  Father 
and  the  Spirit,  be  sincere  and  endless  praise. — [See 
TEACHERS,  CHILDREN,  EARLY  PIETY.] 

SACRAMENT. — See  Lord's  Supper. 

SACRED     MUSIC. 

Let  all  that  hath  breath  praise  the  Lord  !  Hearken, 
O  my  soul :  the  voice  of  universal  nature  is  a  song 
of  glory  unto  God  :  and  shalt  thou,  who  hast  shared 
his  choicest  mercies,  keep  silence  before  him  ?  I 
thank  thee,  Gracious  Maker,  for  the  gift  of  speech. 
Incline  me,  I  pray  thee,  to  train  and  employ  it  in 
thy  praise.  Make  me  feel  the  importance  of  this 
portion  of  thy  worship,  in  honouring  thy  name,  in 
exciting  feelings  of  devotion,  and  in  obtaining  thy 
blessing.  Let  it  be  an  intelligent,  sincere,  and  holy 
service.  May  I  sing  with  the  understanding,  and 


243 

with  the  spirit ;  making  melody  with  my  heart  unto 
the  Lord. 

Lord,  redeem  the  power  of  music  from  the  fool- 
ish and  profane  uses  to  which  it  is  so  often  applied. 
Let  praise  wait  for  thee,  O  God,  in  Zion.  May 
thy  saints  teach  and  admonish  one  another,  in 
psalms,  and  hymns,  and  spiritual  songs  ;  singing 
with  grace  in  their  hearts  unto  the  Lord.  Dispose 
thy  people  to  give  increased  attention  to  this  im- 
portant service.  Reform  its  abuses,  in  manner  and 
in  spirit.  Let  it  not  be  profaned  by  insincerity, 
nor  be  made  the  instrument  of  vain  glory.  May  all 
feel  it  to  be  their  duty  to  fit  themselves  to  join  in  it. 
Give  it  influence  on  the  piety  of  the  church,  and 
let  its  words  of  wisdom  fall  with  conviction  on  the 
ears  of  the  ungodly.  O  may  the  days  of  praise  of 
thy  servants  on  earth,  prepare  them  for  that  nobler 
worship,  where  every  thought,  and  every  feeling, 
and  every  sound,  is  a  voice  of  melody,  which  hearts 
of  bliss  bring,  like  holy  incense,  to  thy  heavenly 
throne ! 

SALVATION. 

Heavenly  Father,  grant  me  just  and  full  views 
of  the  plan  of  salvation  by  a  Redeemer.  Give  me, 
I  pray  thee,  an  understanding  to  know,  and  a  heart 
to  feel,  whatthou  hast  done  for  the  redemption  of 
sinners. — In  the  counsels  of  eternity,  thou  didst 
foresee  that  estate  of  sin  and  misery  into  which 
mankind  should  be  brought  by  the  fall ;  and  thou 
didst  not  leave  them  to  perish  in  it ;  for  in  thy  wis- 
dom and  mercy,  thou  didst  devise  a  scheme,  by 
which  they  might  be  delivered  from  it,  and  be 
brought  into  an  estate  of  salvation,  through  the 
atoning  blood  of  thy  Son.  Thou  didst  send  him. 


244 

in  the  fulness  of  time,  to  save  that  which  was  lost 
— to  ransom  those  who  were  under  the  curse  of  the 
law — to  redeem  them  who  were  subject  to  the  world, 
the  flesh,  and  the  devil  ;  and  over  whom  were  hang- 
ing the  terrors  of  the  second  death.  And,  O,  that 
redemption  which  he  brought,  not  only  saves  from 
these  fearful  evils,  but  exalts  those  who  were  by 
nature  and  practice  the  heirs  of  wo,  to  be  the  ob- 
jects of  God's  favour  in  this  life,  and  the  joint- 
heirs  of  Christ's  inheritance  in  the  world  to  come  ! 

O  Lord,  give  me  an  ever-present  conviction  that 
this  salvation  is  not  by  human  wisdom  or  power ; 
for  it  was  thy  mercy  that  procured  it,  and  it  is  thy 
Spirit  that  induces  and  enables  me  to  accept  it. 
Direct  all  my  hopes  to  the  Lamb  of  God  that  taketh 
away  the  sin  of  the  world  ;  and  assist  me  to  realize 
that  there  is  no  other  name  given  under  heaven, 
among  men,  whereby  sinners  can  be  saved.  Ena- 
ble me,  I  beseech  thee,  to  believe  in  him  with  my 
heart  unto  righteousness,  and  to  make  confession  of 
him  with  my  mouth  unto  salvation.  Teach  me  that 
it  is  by  grace  we  are  saved :  for  thou  wouldst  not 
defile  the  excellency  and  glory  of  thy  plan,  by  mak- 
ing our  deliverance  the  fruit  of  our  works  of  right- 
eousness, which  are  indeed,  of  themselves,  as  filthy 
rags.  Thou  wilt  suffer  none  to  glory  in  redemption, 
but  through  the  cross  of  Jesus  Christ.  Lead  me,  I 
pray  thee,  in  that  highway  of  holiness,  thy  sacred 
word  ;  which  thou  hast  given  us,  that  the  man  of 
God  may  be  perfect,  and  thoroughly  furnished  unto 
all  good  works.  Seal  me  by  thy  Spirit  of  promise  ; 
and  if  thou  hast  begun  a  good  work  in  me,  perform 
it  unto  the  day  of  Christ. 

O  Most  High,  if  the  righteous  be  scarcely  saved, 
where  shall  the  ungodly  and  the  sinner  appear? 


245 

For  thy  great  name's  sake,  show  the  power  and  fit- 
ness of  thy  salvation  on  the  wicked.  Arouse  them 
from  their  false  and  guilty  peace,  by  some  bereave- 
ment of  their  comforts,  or  some  disaster  of  life  ;  by 
the  startling  terrors  of  thy  law,  or  by  the  clear 
shining  of  thy  love.  Make  them  feel  that  the  re- 
demption of  the  soul  is  precious,  and  that  it  ceaseth 
forever.  Persuade  them  to  flee  for  refuge  to  a  cru- 
cified Saviour.  Take  them  from  the  horrible  pit 
and  the  miry  clay  ;  and  set  their  feet  upon  the  Rock 
of  safety  and  blessedness  ;  and  put  a  new  song  into 
their  mouths,  even  of  praise  to  him,  who  so  loved 
the  world,  as  to  give  himself  for  it,  that  he  might 
redeem  unto  himself  a  peculiar  people,  who  should 
serve  him  in  newness  of  life,  and  enjoy  with  him 
the  blessings  of  an  everlasting  salvation. 

SANCTUARY. 

Lord,  incline  me  to  love  the  services  of  thy  sanc- 
tuary ;  for  a  day  in  thy  courts  is  better  than  a  thou- 
sand spent  in  worldly  pleasures.  O  that  I  might 
desire  more  to  be  a  doorkeeper  in  the  house  of 
God,  than  to  dwell  in  the  tents  of  wickedness. — 
Lord,  suffer  me  not  to  forsake  the  assemblies  of 
thy  saints.  May  I  remember  that  Christ  loved  the 
synagogue ;  and  that  his  disciples  continued  daily 
with  one  accord  in  the  temple.  There  the  rich  and 
the  poor  meet  together,  and  the  Lord  is  the  Maker 
of  them  all.  There  thou  makest  the  hearts  of  thy 
saints  to  rejoice,  and  preparest  them  to  run  with  re- 
newed strength  and  increasing  diligence,  in  their 
Christian  race  ;  and  there  thou  makest  the  souls  of 
thine  enemies  to  tremble  and  bow  before  thy  sove- 
reign will.  It  is  in  thy  house,  0  Lord,  that  thou 
21* 


246 

showest  the  riches  of  thy  mercy,  and  the  strength 
of  thy  power ! 

Great  Master  of  Assemblies,  bring  me  to  thy  ta- 
bernacle with  preparation  of  heart  and  with  prayer. 
May  I  revere  and  love  that  gospel  which  is  preached 
there.  Incline  me  to  hear  it  with  close  and  devout 
attention,  and  with  personal  application.  Make  thy 
word  to  my  heart  as  a  fire  that  melteth,  and  as  a 
hammer  that  breaketh  the  rock.  Incline  me  to  hear 
it  with  candour  and  kindness  towards  him  who  is 
its  messenger  ;  desiring  that  the  words  of  his  mouth 
may  glorify  God,  and  be  used  as  the  means  of 
quickening  and  saving  souls.  Strengthen  me,  I 
pray  thee,  to  obey,  with  full  purpose  of  heart,  all 
thy  commands.  They  only  are  happy,  who  in 
knowing  these  things,  are  willing  to  do  them ; 
for  not  every  one  that  saith,  "  Lord,  Lord,"  shall 
enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  but  he  that  doth  the 
will  of  our  Father  in  heaven.  Make  me  a  doer,  as 
well  as  a  hearer,  of  thy  word.  Lord,  let  not  the  im- 
pressions of  thy  truth  escape  with  the  occasion  of 
its  utterance.  Dispose  me  to  meditate  on  it  in  my 
heart — to  digest  it  in  my  thoughts — to  make  it  the 
subject  of  prayer — and  to  show  it  forth  in  my  life. 
O  let  it  not  be  as  the  seed  by  the  wayside  ;  nor  as 
that  on  stony  ground  ;  nor  as  that  among  thorns  : — 
but  let  it  be  like  that  which  fell  on  good  ground, 
and  brought  forth,  some  thirty,  some  sixty,  and 
some  an  hundred  fold. 

Grant,  I  pray  thee,  that  when  I  call  upon  thy 
name  in  thy  house,  my  prayer  may  not  go  out  of 
feigned  lips.  Make  it  the  homage  of  the  creature 
to  the  Creator,  and  the  supplication  of  a  needy  child 
to  a  rich  and  liberal  Parent.  And  when  I  praise 
thee  in  the  songs  of  Zion,  may  I  render  thee  not 


247 

only  an  outward,  but  an  inward  and  spiritual  wor- 
ship. 

Lord,  bring  within  thy  sanctuaries,  the  multitudes 
who  spend  their  Sabbaths  in  idleness  and  sin.  0, 
let  not  the  walks  of  Zion  be  deserted,  while  the  gates 
of  hell  are  thronged  with  eager  travellers.  May 
thy  people  draw  them  by  the  bands  of  a  man,  and 
thy  Spirit  by  the  cords  of  love,  until  they  shall  come 
and  fill  to  overflowing,  the  tabernacles  of  the  right- 
eous. And  come  thou,  O  God,  in  the  greatness  of 
thy  love  and  majesty,  and  make  thy  courts  melo<- 
dious  with  the  praises  of  souls  newly  ransomed  by 
the  power  and  grace  of  thy  truth.  And  thy  glorious 
name,  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  shall  have  the  praise 
forever. 

SA  NOTIFICATION. 

O  Most  Holy,  how  impure  is  this  heart  which 
thou  didst  make  to  be  the  temple  of  the  living  God. 
But,  thanks  be  to  thy  name,  thou  canst  make  me 
clean.  Thy  Spirit  can  sanctify  me  by  thy  truth, 
and  by  thy  providence,  and  can  change  me  into 
thine  own  image ;  making  my  powers  fit  for  thy 
service,  and  my  soul  meet  to  be  thy  dwelling. 

Lord,  grant  me  that  work  of  thy  free  grace,  by 
which  I  shall  be  enabled,  more  and  more,  to  die 
unto  sin,  and  to  live  unto  righteousness.  May  I 
remember  that  thou  art  holy  ;  and  that  this  is  thy 
will,  even  our  sanctification.  May  I  look  upon 
Jesus,  in  his  character  as  a  Saviour  from  sin.  Show 
me  in  his  sufferings  and  death,  the  guilt  of  man's 
sinfulness.  Teach  me  by  the  rebellion  of  my  own 
heart,  its  stubbornness  and  deformity.  Convince 
me  of  its  demerit,  by  vivid  views  of  the  unending 
punishment  of  the  lost.  O  make  me  loathe  trans- 


248 

gression.  Paralyze  its  power  over  my  judgment, 
conscience,  and  affections  ;  that  the  body  of  sin 
being  destroyed,  henceforth  I  may  not  serve  sin, 
but  be  the  servant  of  righteousness. 

Great  God,  preserve  the  hearts  of  thy  chosen 
generation  from  sinful  thoughts,  words,  and  actions ; 
and  do  thou  cause  them  to  abound  in  the  fruits  of 
holiness.  May  thy  grace  sanctify  them  by  a  hope 
that  purifieth,  even  as  Christ  is  pure  ;  by  a  love 
which  seeks  conformity  to  thine  own  image  ;  and 
by  a  faith  which  looks  at  things  that  are  not  seen, 
and  that  are  eternal. — Make  them  living  epistles, 
seen  and  read  of  all  men.  Make  them  the  salt  of 
the  earth — the  means  of  leading  a  wicked  and  per- 
verse generation,  by  the  power  of  a  good  example, 
to  glorify  their  Father  in  heaven.  Gracious  Sove- 
reign, enable  them  to  adorn  the  doctrine  of  God, 
their  Saviour,  in  all  things.  Imbue  them  with  that 
holiness  without  which  no  man  can  see  the  Lord. 
— [_See  HOLINESS.] 

SATAN. 

Merciful  Father,  protect  me  from  the  open  and 
secret  influences  of  Satan,  who  is  the  great  adver- 
sary of  souls.  O  let  me  not  be  heedless  of  the 
truth,  that  he  exerts  his  power  even  on  the  hearts 
of  thy  saints.  If  the  innocence  of  Paradise,  and 
the  spotless  purity  of  Jesus  himself,  were  not  ex- 
empt from  his  devices,  I  surely  should  not  hope  to 
escape  his  assaults.  But  I  implore  the  aid  of  thy 
grace,  that  I  may  resist  them,  and  triumph  over 
them.  Bestow  on  me  the  shield  of  faith,  where- 
with I  may  be  able  to  quench  all  the  fiery  darts  of 
the  wicked  one.  Give  me  wisdom  to  detect,  and 
virtue  to  repel,  all  his  countless  temptations.  Arm 


249 

me,  I  pray  thee,  with  the  sword  of  thy  truth,  that 
I  may  resist  the  devil,  so  that  he  shall  flee  from 
me. 

Lord,  overthrow  the  power  of  Satan  in  the  hearts 
of  the  children  of  disobedience.  Let  not  this  world 
be  given  up  to  his  cruel  dominion.  Redeem  those 
that  are  under  his  influence,  and  make  them  the 
servants  of  the  living  God.  Lord  of  Hosts,  cast 
out  the  prince  of  this  world.  Fulfil,  speedily,  thy 
promises,  that  thou  wilt  bruise  the  serpent's  head  ; 
and  that  thou  wilt  bind  the  dragon,  and  cast  him 
into  the  bottomless  pit,  and  shut  him  up,  and  set  a 
seal  upon  him,  that  he  shall  deceive  the  nations  no 
more,  until  the  thousand  years  are  fulfilled,  in  which 
Christ  shall  reign  from  sea  to  sea,  and  from  the 
river  to  the  ends  of  the  earth. 

SAVIOUR. — See  Jesus  Christ  and  Christmas. 

SCRIPTURES. 

God  of  Truth,  I  praise  thy  mercy,  in  Jesus  Christ, 
that  thou  hast  not  left  the  human  race  to  the  blind 
gropings  of  unaided  reason,  in  seeking  a  knowledge 
of  thy  will ;  but  that  thou  hast  given  us  the  Scrip- 
tures of  truth,  which  holy  men  of  old  spake  as  they 
were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  I  would  thank 
thee  for  their  precepts,  which  are  incentives  to  good 
— for  their  examples,  which  are  monitors  of  duty — 
for  their  threatenings,  which  are  merciful  warnings 
against  evil — and  for  their  promises,  which  are  the 
beacons  of  hope.  Thy  testimonies  are  sure,  mak- 
ing wise  the  simple  ;  and  thy  law  is  perfect,  con- 
verting the  soul. 

Lord,  grant  me  an  affecting  sense  of  thy  conde- 
scending goodness  in  the  gift  of  the  volume  of  reve- 


250 

lation.  Give  me  the  teachings  of  thy  Spirit,  that  I 
may  understand  and  love  the  things  of  thy  word. 
Incline  me,  I  pray  thee,  to  keep  thy  statutes  ;  since 
he  only  that  doth  thy  will,  shall  know  of  the  doc- 
trine, whether  it  be  of  God  :  while  he  is  cursed, 
who  continueth  not  in  all  things  written  in  the  book 
of  the  law,  to  do  them.  O  make  the  scriptures 
profitable  to  me  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correc- 
tion, and  for  instruction  in  righteousness ;  that  I 
may  be  thoroughly  furnished  unto  every  good  work. 
Incline  me  to  search  them  for  the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus  ;  and  may  I  find  there  that  pearl  of  great  price, 
which  is  the  only  passport  to  heaven.  When  my 
soul  cleaveth  to  the  dust,  quicken  thou  me  accord- 
ing to  thy  word  ;  and  cause  it  to  dwell  in  me  richly, 
in  all  wisdom.  Enable  me  to  draw  lessons  of  wis- 
dom and  holiness  from  its  blessed  pages,  wherewith 
to  guide  my  judgment,  and  direct  my  steps,  in  all 
the  ways  of  life.  Sanctify  me  by  thy  truth ;  thy 
word  is  truth. 

Giver  of  Mercies,  I  thank  thee  for  that  bright 
cluster  of  evidences  of  the  truth  of  the  Bible,  which 
the  researches  of  the  wise  and  good  have  gathered 
over  its  sacred  leaves.  O  that  every  skeptic,  and 
every  infidel,  would  learn  from  them  the  folly  and 
wickedness  of  their  unbelief,  and  come  with  broken 
hearts  and  submissive  minds,  to  the  throne  of  thy 
mercy,  crying,  "  Lord,  we  would  believe ;  help 
thou  our  unbelief." 

Lord,  bring  thy  truth  with  convincing,  and  per- 
suading, and  controlling  power,  to  the  hearts  and 
consciences  of  the  ungodly.  O  make  it  an  effectual 
means  of  converting  sinners,  and  of  building  them 
up,  in  holiness  and  comfort,  through  faith,  unto  sal- 
vation.— May  thy  saints  attend  thereunto,  with  dili- 


251 

gence,  preparation,  and  prayer;  receiving  it  with 
faith  and  love,  laying  it  up  in  their  hearts,  and  prac- 
tising it  in  their  lives. 

Bestow,  I  pray  thee,  thy  rich  favour  on  Bible- 
classes.  Thou  hast  been  pleased  to  make  them,  in 
many  instances,  the  instruments  of  turning  the  hearts 
of  the  disobedient.  Establish  them  in  every  com- 
munity. Let  them  be  conducted  in  wisdom  and 
grace,  and  result  in  multiplying  greatly  the  trophies 
of  redeeming  love. 

God  of  Truth,  prosper  with  thy  blessing,  the  ef- 
forts which  have  been  made,  and  are  now  making, 
to  give  the  word  of  life  to  those  who,  in  our  own, 
and  in  other  countries,  are  perishing  for  lack  of 
knowledge.  I  would  extol  thy  mercy,  that  the 
sacred  volume  has  been  transmitted  through  so  many 
generations,  without  corruption  ;  and  that  it  has 
been  translated,  and  published,  and  multiplied,  in  so 
many  tongues  and  nations  of  the  earth.  O  reani- 
mate, and  strengthen,  and  extend  these  labours,  until 
thy  word  shall  have  free  course  in  every  family 
throughout  the  world,  and  be  glorified  in  bringing 
multitudes  of  souls  into  the  kingdom  of  God.  And 
to  thee,  O  Lord,  shall  be  ascribed  the  power,  and 
dominion,  and  glory,  forever. 

SE  A  ME  N. 

Lord,  remember  the  wants  of  them  that  go  down 
to  the  sea  in  ships,  that  do  business  in  great  waters, 
and  see  thy  wonders  in  the  deep.  Alas  !  how  few 
of  them  can  be  said  to  have  any  Sabbath,  any 
sanctuary,  any  home ;  and  how  few  are  there  among 
thy  people,  that  care  for  their  bodies  or  their  souls. 
Lord,  preserve  them  in  their  constant  perils  by  sea 
and  by  land.  O  thou  that  makes t  the  storm  a  calm, 


252 

that  the  waves  thereof  are  still,  restrain  for  them 
the  raging  tempest ;  quiet  for  them  the  devouring 
ocean  ;  and  send  them  in  safety  and  gladness  over 
their  trackless  journeys.  And  while  their  feet  are 
upon  land,  keep  them  from  straying  among  those 
forbidden  paths,  which  are  more  dangerous  than 
stormy  winds,  and  sunken  rocks,  and  treacherous 
seas. 

Heavenly  Father,  I  thank  thee  that  this  class  of 
men,  so  long  neglected,  has  at  length  arrested  the 
sympathies  of  some  in  thy  churches  ;  and  that  suc- 
cessful measures  have  been  undertaken,  to  make 
them  the  subjects  of  that  gospel,  which  should  be 
their  anchor  in  port,  and  their  chart  at  sea.  Lord, 
spread  widely  through  thy  churches,  a  knowledge 
of  the  wants  and  claims  of  seamen.  May  thy  peo- 
ple look  with  compassion  on  their  toils  and  suf- 
ferings, their  dangers  and  destitution;  and  be  led, 
in  the  love  of  souls,  to  strive  to  bring  them  into  the 
kingdom  of  heaven.  Grant  that  these  men,  who 
have  so  long  been  the  instruments  of  carrying  the 
vices  of  civilization  among  the  heathen,  and  all 
nations  of  the  world,  may  soon  become  the  heralds 
of  the  gospel,  and  carry  to  every  coast  of  earth,  the 
blessings  of  redeeming  grace.  O  fulfil  that  vision 
of  prophecy,  in  which  the  abundance  of  the  sea 
shall  be  converted  unto  God  ! 

SELF-CONSECRATION. 

Gracious  God,  help  me  to  consecrate  myself  to 
thee,  with  full  purpose  of  soul,  and  with  endea- 
vours after  new  obedience.  Make  me  feel  that  if  I 
could  offer  thee  a  world,  and  yet  hold  back  the  gift 
of  my  heart,  my  oblation  would  be  but  a  worthless 
and  odious  thing  in  thy  sight.  Lord,  I  am  thine  by 


253 

creation,  and  by  constant  benefaction.  O  has  not 
Christ  died  for  me,  that  I  should  be  thine,  in  the 
purchase  of  his  atoning  blood  ?  Let  me,  therefore, 
not  live  unto  myself,  but  unto  him.  Enable  me  to 
say  from  my  heart,  "  Here,  Lord,  I  give  myself  to 
thee  ;  it  is  all  that  I  can  do."  Accept,  I  pray  thee, 
that  offering,  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  the  Ransom  of 
sinners. 

I  would  take  thee,  O  Lord,  as  my  portion — thy 
law  as  my  rule — thy  service  as  my  meat  and  drink 
— and  thy  purposes  as  the  ground  of  my  faith  and 
hope.  Bring  all  my  expectations,  wishes,  and  in- 
tentions into  conformity  with  thy  will ;  and  let  me 
live,  and  move,  and  have  my  being  in  a  covenant 
of  full-hearted  and  never-failing  devotion  to  thee, 
and  the  interests  of  thy  kingdom. 

SELF-DENIAL. 

O  Most  High,  enable  me  to  deny  myself,  to  take 
up  my  cross  daily,  and  to  follow  my  blessed  Sa- 
viour ;  who,  though  he  had  shared  with  the  Father, 
the  glory  from  the  beginning,  yet  made  himself  of 
no  reputation  ;  and  though  he  had  all  power  in  hea- 
ven and  earth,  took  upon  him  the  form  of  a  servant, 
and  became  obedient  unto  death,  even  the  death  of 
the  cross. 

Lord,  grant  me  the  spirit  of  self-denial  in  what  I 
eat  and  drink,  and  wherewithal  I  am  clothed.  Let 
me  not  be  a  lover  of  pleasure  more  than  a  lover  of 
God.  Make  me  temperate  in  every  lawful  pursuit. 
Help  me  to  abstain  from  fleshly  lusts  that  war 
against  the  soul.  May  I  forsake  uncleanness  of 
thought,  word,  and  action.  Turn  me  away  from 
the  love  of  money,  which  is  the  root  of  all  evil. 
Give  me  grace  to  stifle  my  desires  for  the  praise  of 


254 

men,  whose  favour  is  indeed  deceitful.  Raise  me 
above  the  fear  of  man,  that  bringeth  a  snare.  As- 
sist me,  I  beseech  thee,  to  overcome  my  tempta- 
tions to  display  and  to  self-righteousness  ;  and  let 
me  count  all  things  but  loss,  that  I  may  be  found 
in  Christ,  with  that  righteousness  which  is  of  God, 
by  faith.  Make  me  willing  to  give  up  every  thing 
which  will  come  in  competition  with  the  interests  of 
my  soul,  or  the  welfare  of  thy  kingdom.  Yea,  let 
me  not  count  my  life  dear  to  myself,  if  I  may  avoid 
that  which  is  evil,  and  cleave  to  that  which  is  right : 
for  whosoever  will  save  his  life  shall  lose  it ;  but 
he  that  loseth  his  life  for  thy  sake,  shall  find  it. 

SELF-DECEPTION. 

Searcher  of  Hearts,  suffer  me  not  to  dwell  at  ease 
in  Zion,  if  I  have  only  a  name  to  live,  and  have 
not  the  lifegiving  power  of  godliness.  If  my  hope 
be  false,  O  take  it  away  before  it  becomes  as  that 
of  the  hypocrite — as  a  spider's  web,  or  as  the  giv- 
ing up  of  the  ghost.  Bestow  on  me,  I  beseech 
thee,  thou  Gracious  One,  a  good  hope  through  grace, 
which  shall  be  as  a  house  built  on  a  rock,  that  shall 
not  fall,  though  the  rains  come,  and  the  winds  blow, 
and  beat  upon  it.  May  it  be  as  an  anchor  to  my 
soul,  both  sure  and  steadfast,  entering  into  that 
within  the  vail.  Lord,  search  me  and  try  me,  and 
see  if  there  be  any  evil  way  in  me,  and  lead  me  in 
the  way  everlasting.  If  I  have  indeed  been  de- 
ceived, O  do  thou  open  my  eyes,  and  turn  me  from 
darkness  unto  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan 
unto  God,  that  I  may  receive  forgiveness  of  sins,  and 
an  inheritance  among  them  that  are  sanctified  by 
faith. 

Great  God,  let  there  be  searchings  of  heart  among 


255 

all  that  profess  thy  name.  May  they  remember 
that  those  are  not  all  Israel,  who  are  of  Israel.  Not 
every  one  that  saith,  "  Lord,  Lord,"  shall  enter  the 
kingdom  of  heaven  :  for  the  King  will  say  of  many 
who  would  be  guests  at  his  heavenly  table,  "  Bind 
them  hand  and  foot,  and  take  them  away,  and  cast 
them  into  outer  darkness— there  shall  be  weeping 
and  gnashing  of  teeth."  O  let  all  the  victims  of 
self-delusion  cast  off  the  robes  of  deceit,  and  put  on 
the  wedding  garment;  that  they  may  be  found 
among  thy  chosen  ones,  whom  thou  will  feast  with 
the  fulness  of  joy,  in  thy  presence,  forevermore. 

S  E  L  F-E  XAMINATION. 

Great  Source  of  Wisdom,  give  me  a  habit  of 
honest  and  searching  self-examination,  that  I  may 
prove  myself,  and  know  whether  I  am  in  the  faith. 
Make  me  ever  anxious  to  know  the  state  of  my 
heart,  and  the  working  of  my  motives.  Guide  and 
strengthen  me,  while  I  inquire  of  my  soul  and  of  thee, 
whether  I  acknowledge  and  mourn  over  my  trans- 
gressions, and  receive  Christ  as  my  wisdom,  right- 
eousness, sanetification,  and  redemption.  Have  I 
indeed  been  born  again — am  I  a  new  creature  in 
Christ  Jesus — and  are  the  evidences  of  my  new 
estate  clear  and  increasing  ?  Is  the  Lord  my  mas- 
ter to  serve,  and  my  portion  to  enjoy ;  and  is  the 
welfare  of  his  kingdom  the  desire  of  my  heart  1  Am 
I  daily  dying  unto  sin,  and  living  unto  righteous- 
ness ?  Am  I  thankful  for  mercies,  and  prayerful 
for  blessings  ;  pursuing  the  glory  of  God ;  doing  to 
others  as  I  would  have  them  do  unto  me  ;  and  dili- 
gently seeking  that  city  which  hath  foundations, 
whose  builder  and  maker  is  God  ? 

Teach  me,  O  Lord,  all  my  errors,  weaknesses, 


256 

and  sins.  Cleanse  me  from  them  by  the  enlighten- 
ing, strengthening,  and  sanctifying  influences  of  thy 
Spirit.  And  O,  may  I  remember  that  if  I  should 
be  wilfully  or  heedlessly  blind  to  my  transgressions, 
thou,  Lord,  knowest  them  altogether.  Let  not  self- 
love  nor  pride,  hinder  me  from  an  impartial  know- 
ledge of  myself.  Preserve  me  from  a  false  estimate 
of  any  part  of  my  character.  May  I  look  at  my 
principles  as  well  as  my  conduct — and  at  my  mo- 
tives as  well  as  my  actions.  Let  me  never  mistake 
the  excitement  of  feeling  for  the  renewing  of  the 
Holy  Ghost;  nor  the  outward  activities  of  religion 
for  its  inward  spirit.  Let  me  not  judge  of  my  re- 
ligion by  occasional  impressions  and  impulses,  but 
by  my  habit  of  life.  Lord,  make  it  worthy  of  the 
vocation  wherewith  I  am  called,  and  such  as  be- 
cometh  the  gospel  of  Christ. 

SELFISHNESS. 

Great  Sovereign,  let  not  my  motives  nor  conduct 
be  governed  by  selfishness.  Teach  me  that  this 
principle  is  the  original  and  deep-rooted  sin  of  my 
nature.  O  how  has  it  exalted  self  above  all  other 
creatures,  and  above  God  himself!  How  has  it 
filled  the  world,  in  all  the  length  of  its  history, 
with  pride,  self-indulgence,  contention,  cruelty,  and 
death. — Lord,  suffer  me  not  to  set  up  my  judgment 
against  thy  wisdom,  nor  my  desires  against  thy 
will.  Show  me  that  thy  will  is  the  supreme  law  of 
both  duty  and  happiness.  Keep  me  from  seeking 
ray  own  interests  heedlessly,  or  at  the  expense  of 
the  welfare  of  others.  Make  me  realize  that  I  am 
but  a  unit  among  the  multitudes  of  thy  rational  crea- 
tures, each  of  whom  has  the  same  deep  stake  with 
myself,  in  the  pursuit  of  comfort  and  well-being. — 


257 

Thou  hast  said  that  he  who  would  follow  Jesus, 
must  deny  himself.  Keep  me  from  the  character 
and  wo  of  those  that  covet  an  evil  covetousness,  and 
who  would  grow  rich  in  pleasure  and  worldly  good, 
at  the  cost  of  the  humble  and  needy.  O  let  me  not 
exclude  myself  from  thy  love,  nor  dishonour  hu- 
manity, by  shutting  up  my  feelings  of  compassion  at 
the  cry  of  want  or  misery.  Give  me  that  charity 
that  seeketh  not  her  own,  that  goeth  about  doing 
good,  even  as  did  our  Lord  and  Master. 

Lord,  preserve  me  from  selfishness  in  the  pursuits 
$f  religion.  Though  thou  hast  enjoined  on  me  the 
most  diligent  efforts  for  growth  in  grace  and  per- 
sonal salvation,  thou  hast  laid  necessity  upon  me,  to 
spread  the  gospel  among  the  destitute,  and  to  warn 
souls  from  the  broad  way  of  death,  and  win  them  to 
the  narrow  path  of  life.  O  help  me  so  to  blend  my 
duties  to  myself  and  my  neighbour,  that  we  together 
may  be  partners  of  thy  fellowship  on  earth,  and 
joint-heirs  of  thy  communion  in  heaven. 

SEMINARIES. 

Great  Teacher,  bestow  thy  choicest  favours  on 
those  who  are  now  in  training  for  the  active  duties 
of  life,  in  our  various  institutions  of  learning.  I 
thank  thee  that  thou  art  multiplying  the  facilities  of 
securing  a  liberal  education,  and  that  an  increasing 
number  of  minds  are  receiving  those  acquisitions  of 
knowledge,  which  impart  dignity  and  usefulness  to 
man.  Yet,  O  Lord,  I  desire  to  remember  that 
many  youth,  who  were  the  hope  of  parents,  and 
the  pride  of  friends,  have  made  shipwreck  in  our  semi- 
naries, of  all  that  is  valuable  for  time  and  eternity ; 
and  that  unsanetified  genius  has  often  exerted,  and 
may  still  exert,  a  fearful  power  to  do  evil. 
22* 


258 

Lord,  shelter  these  precious  youth  from  the  dan- 
gers to  which  they  are  exposed,  by  ambition,  infi- 
delity, and  corruption.  Thou  seest  that  the  large 
majority  of  them  are  unconverted  ;  and  that  beside 
the  peril  that  may  accrue  to  their  own  souls,  they 
are  the  germs  of  those  influences  which  will  spread 
weal  or  wo  among  mankind.  Thou  knowest  that 
it  is  to  these  the  church  looks  for  the  chief  supply 
of  that  ministry,  which  thou  hast  appointed  to  preach 
the  gospel  to  every  creature. 

Gracious  God,  make  these  institutions  favourable, 
in  the  highest  degree,  for  the  promotion  of  useful 
learning  and  sound  morals.  May  those  who  teach  in 
them,  be  fitted  in  intellect  and  heart  for  their  responsi- 
ble duties.  Grant  that  while  their  pupils  are  drinking 
from  the  fountains  of  human  knowledge,  they  may 
also  draw  water  ont  of  the  wells  of  salvation ;  and 
be  prepared  to  go  forth,  into  the  walks  of  life,  laden 
with  the  mingled  treasures  of  wisdom  and  piety. 

Lord,  remember  pious  students.  Suffer  them 
not  to  forsake  nor  dishonour  their  profession  of 
godliness.  Let  their  example  be  moulded  in  right- 
eousness. Give  them  willing  hearts  and  abundant 
opportunities  to  do  good  in  their  station.  O  do 
thou  make  our  seminaries  subjects  of  deep  interest 
and  earnest  supplication  in  thy  church.  Let  that 
day  of  annual  prayer  which  has  been  appointed  for 
them,  be  a  consecrated  season  among  thy  people. 
And  grant,  that  often,  very  often,  in  the  sacred  desk, 
in  the  social  meeting,  and  in  the  lonely  closet,  ear- 
nest entreaty  may  go  up  to  thy  throne,  that  thou 
wouldst  take  the  precious  jewels  of  educated  mind, 
in  these  cabinets  of  knowledge,  and  purify  and  po- 
lish them,  that  they  may  reflect  thy  glory  before 
earth  and  heaven* 


259 

SERVANTS. 

Heavenly  Master,  bless  those  that  occupy  the 
relation  of  servants.  Teach  them  the  duties  of  their 
station,  and  dispose  them  to  do  them  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord.  May  they  count  their  masters  worthy  of 
honour,  and  obey  them  in  singleness  of  heart,  as 
unto  Christ;  with  good-will  doing  service,  as  to 
the  Lord,  and  not  to  men ;  knowing  that  whatso- 
ever good  things  any  man  doth,  the  same  shall  he 
receive  of  the  Lord,  whether  he  be  bond  or  free. 
Make  them  faithful  in  protecting  and  diligent  in 
promoting  the  interests,  reputation,  and  comfort 
of  their  employers. — O  that  they  might  always  be 
treated  with  kindness  and  liberality  ;  and  thus  be 
induced  to  a  grateful  attachment  to  those  whom 
they  serve.  Lord,  protect  them  from  oppression, 
unkindness,  and  fraud.  Make  them  contented  and 
happy  in  the  discharge  of  their  lawful  duties.  May 
they  remember  that  even  the  Son  of  Man  took 
upon  him  the  form  of  a  servant,  and  came  not  to  be 
ministered  unto,  but  to  minister.  Show  them  that 
their  station  is  of  the  ordinance  of  God  ;  and  that 
by  a  faithful  use  of  their  opportunities,  they  may 
so  labour  in  the  service  of  heaven,  that  at  the  last 
day,  their  great  Master  may  say  unto  them,  "  Welt 
done,  good  and  faithful  servants ;  enter  ye  into 
the  joy  of  your  Lord." 

SICKNESS. 

Blessed  and  Only  Potentate,  in  thy  power  are  the 
springs  of  disease  and  the  secrets  of  health.  Thou 
makest  sore,  and  bindest  up  :  thou  woundest,  and 
thy  hands  make  whole.  If  thou  speak  the  word,  the 
season  of  my  sickness  shall  melt  away  into  the  re- 
freshing glow  of  health :  but  if  thou  command  it 


260 

otherwise,  it  will  change  to  the  cold  and  gloomy 
darkness  of  death  and  the  grave.  Lord,  make  me 
content  to  leave  its  issues  with  thee.  If  it  be  thy 
will,  then  raise  me  up,  to  praise  thee  in  the  land  of 
the  living.  But  if  not,  prepare  me  for  the  valley  of 
the  shadow  of  death.  May  thy  rod  and  staff  com- 
fort me,  and  thy  hand  minister  unto  me  an  entrance 
abundantly  into  the  everlasting  kingdom  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

Heavenly  Parent,  visit  in  great  mercy,  all  that  lie 
on  beds  of  languishing.  Induce  them  to  reflect  that 
disease  is  a  mournful  proof  of  human  transgression. 
May  they  regard  their  sickness  as  the  light  recom- 
pense of  their  iniquities  ;  and  as  the  discipline  of 
thy  hand,  which  will  either  prepare  them  for  better 
service  on  earth,  and  nobler  enjoyment  in  heaven — 
or  leave  them  to  greater  hardness  of  heart  in  this 
world,  and  deeper  condemnation  in  the  world  to 
come.  O  Lord  of  Mercy,  relieve  their  pains,  or 
give  them  grace  to  bear  them  with  enduring  patience. 
Let  them  neither  despise  thy  chastenings,  nor  faint 
at  thy  rebukes.  Grant  them  confidence  in  thy  wis- 
dom, mercy,  and  power:  for  thou  canst  not  err  in 
thy  judgment — thy  chastenings  work  out  the  peace- 
able fruits  of  righteousness — and  thy  strength  is 
made  perfect  in  human  weakness.  May  the  light 
of  thy  countenance  be  more  desirable  to  them,  than 
even  the  gladness  of  returning  health.  O  teach 
them  in  these  hours  of  suffering,  how  brief  and  un- 
certain are  earthly  comforts — how  weak  and  brittle  is 
their  hold  on  human  life.  Incline  them,  I  pray  thee, 
to  renounce  every  human  hope,  and  to  look  unto 
Jesus,  as  the  great  and  only  Physician  of  the  soul. 
May  they,  by  the  exercise,  of  faith  in  his  atoning 


261 

blood,  consecrate  themselves  to  him,  that  whether 
living  or  dying,  they  may  be  the  Lord's. 

Merciful  Father,  shed  thy  most  tender  compas- 
sions over  those  whose  sickness  is  unto  death.  May 
thy  saints  be  stayed  in  their  hour  of  trial,  upon 
thine  everlasting  arm,  and  go  through  the  swelling 
tide  with  hope  in  their  hearts,  and  rejoicing  on  their 
lips. — O  let  not  the  sinner  venture  to  encounter  the 
king  of  terrors  with  sullen  indifference,  nor  decep- 
tive hope.  Although  a  death-bed  repentance  be  an 
uncertain  ground  of  trust,  yet  thy  grace,  which  is 
sufficient  for  every  emergency  of  life,  can  still 
redeem  him,  even  in  the  gates  of  dissolution.  O 
Jesus,  speak  to  him,  as  thou  didst  to  the  thief  on 
the  cross,  "  To-day  shalt  thou  be  with  me  in  Para- 
dise/' 

SIN. 

Holy  One  of  Israel,  teach  me  the  evil  nature  and 
fearful  consequences  of  iniquity.  It  is  the  trans- 
gression of  thy  law,  in  doing  what  thou  hast  for- 
bidden, and  failing  to  do  what  thou  hast  commanded. 
Lord,  every  sin  deserves  thy  wrath  and  curse,  both 
in  this  life,  and  in  that  which  is  to  come. 

Assist  me,  I  beseech  thee,  to  feel  that  it  is  an 
evil  and  bitter  thing  to  sin  against  the  Lord.  Thy 
law,  which  I  and  all  mankind  break,  is  holy,  just, 
and  good.  Thy  goodness  against  which  we  have 
transgressed,  has  been  over  us  every  hour  of  our 
lives.  Thou  hast  nourished  and  brought  us  up  as 
children;  but  we  have  rebelled  against  thee.  Every 
sin  which  we  commit,  includes  as  many  acts  of  in- 
gratitude as  the  whole  number  of  thy  past  mercies 
to  us.  Our  iniquity  has  blinded  our  minds  towards 
truth,  and  has  made  us  the  prey  of  error.  It  has 


262 

been  the  snare  that  has  corrupted  and  debased  our 
souls,  and  left  them  increasingly  open  to  temptation 
and  guilt.  O  make  us  feel  that  all  the  sickness, 
misery,  remorse,  and  death,  in  the  world,  are  the 
fruits  of  transgression  ;  and  that  if  sin  had  not 
entered  into  the  world,  this  earth  would  have  been, 
in  all  its  generations,  a  paradise  of  happy  and 
holy  obedience.  Lord,  increase  our  sense  of  the  ex- 
ceeding sinfulness  of  sin,  by  heartfelt  views  of  the 
humiliation,  agony,  and  death  of  thy  Son ;  and  by 
the  revelation  thou  hast  given  of  that  blackness  of 
darkness,  and  anguish  of  despair,  which  it  has 
brought  on  the  finally  impenitent,  the  smoke  of 
whose  torment  ascendeth  forever  and  ever. 

Great  God,  it  becomes  me  to  take  shame  and  con- 
fusion of  face  upon  myself;  to  cry,  "Guilty,  and 
unclean  ;"  and  to  implore  thee  to  be  merciful  to  me, 
a  sinner.  Thou  art  spotless  holiness  ;  and  thou 
canst  not  look  upon  sin  but  with  abhorrence.  If 
thou  shouldst  lay  judgment  to  the  line,  and  right- 
eousness to  the  plummet ;  or  if  even  thou  shouldst 
deal  with  me  for  one  of  a  thousand  of  my  trans- 
gressions, I  would  be  driven  from  thy  presence,  in 
litter  despair.  But,  thanks  be  to  thy  name,  the 
blood  of  Christ  cleanseth  from  all  sin.  Though  I 
should  be  condemned  without  hope,  if  I  dared  to 
stand  before  thee  in  my  own  strength,  yet  in  the 
righteousness  of  my  Surety,  I  may  approach  thee, 
and  receive  remission  of  sins.  Lord,  preserve  me 
from  the  dominion  of  unholiness,  whether  it  spring 
from  the  world,  the  flesh,  or  the  devil.  May  the 
grace  that  bringeth  salvation,  so  teach  me  to  deny 
ungodliness,  and  to  fear  and  loathe  iniquity,  that 
I  shall  constantly  die  unto  sin  and  live  unto  right- 
eousness. 


263 

SINNERS. 

Great  God,  affect  my  heart  powerfully,  by  right 
views  of  the  condition  of  sinners.  O  let  not  my 
soul  be  at  ease  in  her  possessions,  while  the  earth 
is  full  of  the  workers  of  iniquity.  Let  not  self- 
ishness, nor  unbelief,  nor  despondency,  stupify  my 
compassions  for  those  who  everywhere  crowd  the 
ways  of  destruction.  May  I  look  on  them  as  rebels 
against  thy  law,  over  whom  hang  thy  judgments, 
which  may  soon  overwhelm  them  in  remediless 
ruin.  Give  me  deep  yearnings  over  their  awful 
guilt  and  danger.  Dispose  me  to  pray,  in  earnest- 
ness and  faith,  for  their  deliverance  from  sin  ;  and 
lead  me  to  strive  to  pluck  them  as  brands  from  the 
burning.  Lord,  direct  me  in  the  choice  and  use  of 
such  measures  as  will  promote  the  salvation  of  souls. 

0  wilt  thou  give  me  the  blessed  privilege  of  turn- 
ing some  that  were  ready  to  perish,  into  the  covert 
of  redemption  ? 

Compassionate  Jehovah,  kindle  the  love  of  souls 
in  the  breasts  of  all  thy  people.  May  deep  con- 
cern for  the  spiritual  wants  of  men,  pervade  their 
thoughts,  direct  their  desires,  and  govern  their  con- 
duct. O  that  all  who  call  upon  thy  name  for  their 
own  salvation,  would  earnestly  ask  what  thou  wilt 
have  them  to  do,  in  saving  the  ungodly.  Arm  them, 

1  pray  thee,  with  those  weapons  of  love  which  are 
mighty,  through  God,  to  the  pulling  down  of  strong- 
holds.    May  they  use  the  power  of  holy  example, 
the  wisdom  of  right  knowledge,  and  the  fervour  of 
persevering  zeal,  to  convince,  and  persuade,  and  win 
the  unrighteous  from  their  transgressions.     Cause 
the  remembrance  of  their  own  former  impenitency 
and  exposure  to  wrath,  together  with  their  gratitude 


264 

for  thy  distinguishing  grace,  to  excite  their  strong 
cryings  to  God,  and  their  deep  compassions  and 
earnest  efforts,  for  those  who  are  living  without 
hope  and  God  in  the  world.  Lord,  set  before  the 
minds  of  believers,  the  weight  of  guilt  and  retribu- 
tion which  hangs  over  the  impenitent ;  and  cause 
them  to  feel  and  act  upon  the  strong  conviction, 
that  in  fulfilling  their  duty  to  such,  they  will  enjoy 
peace  of  conscience,  the  joyful  reward  of  faithful 
servants,  and  be  the  happy  instruments  of  saving 
souls. 

Lord,  I  would  implore  thy  mercy  on  sinners 
themselves.  Convince  them  of  their  deep- rooted 
depravity,  and  of  the  wrath  they  are  treasuring  up 
against  the  day  of  wrath.  Let  none  deceive  them- 
selves with  a  vain  admiration  of  their  natural  vir- 
tues ;  for  these,  instead  of  abating  the  enormity  of 
their  guilt,  only  stamp  upon  it  the  additional  re- 
proach, that  they  have  ungratefully  refused  to  con- 
secrate these  virtues  to  the  Lord  that  bestowed  them. 
O  that  thy  love  to  them,  in  the  mercies  of  thy  pro- 
vidence, in  the  pleadings  of  thy  word,  in  the  gift 
of  thy  Son,  and  in  the  strivings  of  thy  grace,  might 
fill  them  with  that  repentance  which  is  unto  life. 
Persuade  them  that  thou  hast  no  pleasure  in  their 
death ;  but  that  thou  art  waiting  to  be  gracious. 
Though  they  have  destroyed  themselves,  in  thee  is 
their  help  :  whosoever  will,  may  take  of  the  waters 
of  life  freely.  Let  them  not  neglect  so  great  salva- 
tion, lest  they  sin  away  the  day  of  their  merciful 
visitation  ;  and  then  a  great  ransom  will  not  deliver 
them.  Lead  them,  I  pray  thee,  to  the  Lamb  of 
God  that  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world.  May 
they  look  to  him  and  be  saved.  And  thy  name, 


265 

Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  shall  have  the  glory  of  their 
redemption,  through  time  and  eternity.     Amen. 

SLANDER. 

Lord,  suffer  me  not  to  be  guilty  of  the  vice  of 
slander.  Let  me  not  through  either  mistake  or  pre- 
judice, rashness  or  ill-will,  charge  evil  falsely  on 
my  fellows.  Make  me  tender  of  the  reputation 
of  all  men  ;  and  especially  of  the  household  of 
faith. — O  how  has  this  sin  impaired  or  destroyed 
individual  comfort  and  usefulness,  domestic  and 
social  bliss,  and  public  peace  !  How  has  even  the 
character  of  piety  been  soiled,  and  its  means  of 
doing  good  frustrated,  by  the  words  of  suspicion, 
and  talebearing  and  falsehood  !  Let  the  lying  lips 
be  put  to  silence,  which  speak  grievous  things 
proudly  and  contemptuously,  against  the  righteous. 
O  that  all  evil  speaking  would  cease  out  of  the  world, 
and  that  all  men  would  judge  the  motives,  and  state 
the  conduct  of  others,  in  righteousness  and  truth. 

Lord,  keep  my  mouth  from  slander,  and  my  lips 
from  speaking  guile.  Incline  me  to  take  heed  to 
my  ways,  that  I  sin  not  with  my  tongue.  May 
my  speech  be  always  with  grace ;  for  if  any  man 
offend  not  in  word,  the  same  is  perfect,  and  is  able 
also  to  bridle  the  whole  body. 

SLAVERY. 

God  of  Truth  and  Love,  direct  aright  the  feel- 
ings and  judgments  of  all  men  in  relation  to  slavery. 
May  they  learn  that  it  is  a  sin  against  the  laws  of 
God  and  the  rights  of  man,  which  must,  if  not  for- 
saken, avert  thy  blessed  favour,  and  bring  down  thy 
sore  displeasure.  Thou  hast  said  that  love  is  the 
fulfilling  of  thy  law  ;  and  that  whatsoever  we  would 
23 


266 

that  men  should  do  to  us,  we  must  do  even  so  unto 
them.  Thou  hast  told  us  that  the  cries  of  them 
that  reap  without  hire,  enter  into  thine  ears  :  and 
thou  hast  denounced  heavy  wo  against  him  that 
buildeth  his  house  by  unrighteousness,  and  his 
chambers  by  wrong — that  useth  his  neighbour's 
service  without  wages,  and  giveth  him  not  for  his 
work. — How  long,  O  Lord,  shall  the  selfishness  of 
man  appropriate  to  itself  the  time  and  the  toil  of 
the  weak  and  needy,  and  degrade  the  immortal  mind 
with  ignorance  and  sin  ?  Lord,  let  our  land  soon 
cease  to  be  an  astonishment  and  a  reproach  among 
the  nations  of  the  earth.  May  we  cease  to  do  evil, 
and  learn  to  do  well.  Show  us  that  righteousness 
exalteth  a  nation  ;  but  that  sin  is  a  reproach  to  any 
people. 

Shepherd  of  Israel,  take  away  the  guilt  of  thy 
people  in  this  matter,  whether  it  be  incurred  by  si- 
fence,  approval,  or  fellowship.  Bring  them  out 
from  unrighteousness,  that  they  may  be  separate, 
and  touch  not  the  unclean  thing.  Teach  them  that 
the  righteous  considereth  the  cause  of  the  poor. 
Enable  them  to  discern  the  signs  of  the  times,  and 
to  adopt  such  measures  as  heavenly  wisdom  will 
own  and  bless.  Make  them  realize  that  all  men 
have  one  Father,  and  that  they  are  verily  guilty 
concerning  their  brother.  May  they  remember 
them  that  are  in  bonds,  as  bound  with  them.  May 
they  open  their  mouth  for  the  dumb,  and  plead  the 
cause  of  the  poor  and  needy. --O  God  of  Zion,  do 
thou  take  up  the  stumbling-block  out  of  their  way. 
Let  them  have  no  fellowship  with  the  unfruitful 
works  of  darkness,  but  rather  reprove  them.  Yea, 
thou  hast  said  that  open  rebuke  is  better  than  secret 
love  ;  and  that  faithful  are  the  wounds  of  a  friend. 


267 

May  they  in  meekness,  instruct  those  that  oppose 
themselves;  and  yet  be  faithful  witnesses,  that 
shall  cry  aloud,  and  spare  not ;  and  who  will  show 
them  their  transgressions.  Grant  them  in  this  war- 
fare, the  effectual  fervent  prayer  of  the  righteous, 
which  availeth  much  ;  and  make  them  abundant  in- 
struments in  advancing  the  cause  of  freedom,  and 
saving  those  that  are  ready  to  perish. 

Lord,  look  in  mercy  on  the  oppressor.  Preserve 
him,  I  pray  thee,  from  the  vengeance  of  the  oppress- 
ed. Touch  his  soul  with  a  sense  of  his  wrong,  and 
of  its  danger.  Show  him  that  thou  hast  made  of 
one  blood,  all  nations  of  men,  to  dwell  on  all  the 
face  of  the  earth.  May  he  remember,  that  he  who 
oppresseth  the  poor,  reproacheth  his  Maker.  May 
he  break  off  his  sins,  by  righteousness  ;  and  his 
iniquity  by  showing  mercy.  O  suffer  him  not  to 
continue  to  take  away  the  key  of  knowledge,  and 
to  seal  over  to  vicious  ignorance,  the  soul  that  God 
has  made  for  the  light  of  heaven.  Let  him  not  look 
on  his  own  things  only,  but  also  on  the  things  of 
others.  Teach  him  that  it  is  safe  to  do  right;  for 
is  not  the  work  of  righteousness  peace ;  and  the 
effect  of  righteousness,  quietness  and  assurance  for- 
ever? Lead  him  to  trust  in  the  Lord,  and  do  good; 
so  shall  he  dwell  in  the  land,  and  verily,  he  shall 
be  fed ! 

O  thou  that  executest  righteousness  and  judgment 
for  the  oppressed,  wilt  thou  not  proclaim  liberty 
throughout  all  the  land,  to  all  the  inhabitants  there- 
of? Give  the  down-trodden  rest  from  their  sorrow, 
and  their  fear,  and  their  hard  bondage,  wherein  they 
are  made  to  serve.  Preach  deliverance  to  the  cap- 
tives, and  the  opening  of  the  prison-doors  to  them 
that  are  bound.  But,  0  let  it  be  a  bloodless  deliver- 


268 

ance  ;  and  let  the  captive  come  forth  by  the  will  of 
his  master;  that  God  may  be  glorified  as  much  in 
the  repentance  of  the  one,  as  in  the  liberty  of  the 
other.  And  when  thou  settest  the  slave  free  from 
the  oppression  of  man,  deliver  him  from  the  bondage 
of  sin.  Give  him  the  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God. 
Make  him  thy  servant,  that  his  fruit  may  be  holi- 
ness, and  the  end  everlasting  life. 

SORROW. — See  Grief. 


Eternal  and  Unchangeable  Jehovah,  thou  hast 
given  me  a  soul  of  deathless  nature,  and  of  priceless 
worth.  The  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle  shall 
be  dissolved ;  the  earth  and  all  that  is  therein  shall 
be  burnt  up ;  the  heavens  shall  pass  away  ;  and 
time  shall  be  no  more — and  still  this  spirit  will  live 
on,  in  imperishable  youth.  O,  what  is  a  man  profit- 
ed, if  he  should  gain  the  whole  world,  and  lose  his 
own  soul  ?  Riches  make  to  themselves  wings,  and 
fly  away  ;  honour  is  but  a  passing  breath  of  air  ;  and 
pleasure  perishes  in  the  using  : — but  thou  hast  made 
the  soul  in  the  image  of  thine  own  eternity. 

God  of  Wisdom,  help  me,  for  Christ's  sake,  to 
understand  something  of  its  ever-living  value.  Teach 
me  that  its  powers  of  thought,  memory,  and  affec- 
tion will  cling  to  it,  with  an  everlasting  increase  ; 
and  will  be  instruments  of  exalting  its  hallowed 
pleasures,  or  of  deepening  its  debasing  woes,  for- 
ever.— O  cause  me  to  learn  the  value  of  my  soul, 
by  the  price  that  was  paid  for  it.  Thou  didst  so 
love  the  world,  as  to  give  thy  Son  to  die  for  us. 
Thou  didst  not  redeem  us  with  corruptible  things, 
such  as  silver  and  gold  ;  but  with  the  precious  blood 


269 

of  Christ. — Lord,  let  me  not  learn  the  worth  of  my 
soul  by  its  eternal  loss,  but  by  its  everlasting  gain. 

Great  God,  thou  hast  put  these  awful  and  eternal 
interests  in  the  issues  of  human  life.  Our  season 
of  time,  brief  and  uncertain  at  best,  is  our  probation, 
that  will  determine  our  destinies  for  eternity,  Help 
me,  I  beseech  thee,  now  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to 
come,  and  to  pursue  the  inheritance  of  bliss.  Make 
my  day  and  means  of  grace  sufficient  to  bring  me 
into  the  narrow  way  that  leadeth  unto  life :  and  then, 
when  thou  hast  served  thy  righteous  pleasure  with 
me  here,  where  I  have  no  abiding  place,  take  me 
to  that  city  which  hath  foundations,  whose  builder 
and  maker  is  God. 

Lord,  lead  the  impenitent  to  inquire,  "  What  shall 
a  man  give  in  exchange  for  his  soul  ?"  O  that  they 
might  reflect  on  that  blackness  of  darkness,  and  on 
that  fulness  of  joy,  one  or  other  of  which  must  re- 
sult to  the  undying  spirit,  from  the  deeds  done  in 
the  body.  Spread  before  their  minds  that  holy  and 
blissful  rest  that  remaineth  for  the  people  of  God ; 
and  bring  into  full  contrast  with  it,  the  bottomless 
pit,  the  unquenchable  fire,  the  worm  that  never 
dies,  and  the  weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth,  pre- 
pared for  the  devil  and  his  angels,  and  for  the  spi- 
rits of  the  lost.  O  do  thou  write  over  all  their 
thoughts  of  these  scenes,  as  in  letters  of  light,  ETER- 
NITY, ETERNITY.  Draw  them  by  the  cords  of  thy 
love,  and  incline  them  by  the  terrors  of  thy  law,  to 
make  their  peace  with  thee,  ere  the  precious  re- 
demption of  the  soul  ceaseth  forever. 

SOVEREIGNTY   OF  GOD. 

Lord,  thou  dost  according  to  thy  will  in  the  army 
of  heaven,  and  among  the  inhabitants  of  earth ;  and 
23* 


270 

none  can  stay  thy  hand,  or  say  unto  thee,  "  What 
dost  thou  ?"  Thou  workest  all  things  after  the 
counsel  of  thine  own  will.  A  man's  heart  deviseth 
his  way,  but  thou  directest  his  steps.  Thou  hast 
chosen  our  inheritance,  and  determined  our  changes, 
and  fixed  the  number  of  our  days.  We  are  in  thy 
hands,  as  clay  in  the  hands  of  the  potter. — Lord,  I 
would  adore  the  mystery  of  thy  sovereignty  in  the 
works  of  grace.  Thou  hast  hid  these  things  from 
the  wise  and  prudent,  and  revealed  them  unto  babes. 
Thou  hast  mercy  on  whom  thou  wilt  have  mercy  ; 
and  whom  thou  wilt  thou  hardenest.  Even  so, 
Father ;  for  so  it  seemed  good  in  thy  sight. 

Great  God,  I  rejoice  that  thy  dominion  is  built 
on  power  and  wisdom,  righteousness  and  mercy. 
Thou  alone  mayest  exercise  it ;  for  thou  art  the 
Maker,  Governor,  Benefactor,  and  Judge  of  all 
things. — O  do  thou  work  in  me,  to  will  and  to  do, 
of  thy  good  pleasure.  Let  me  not  be  the  slave  of 
sin,  but  the  servant  of  Jesus  ;  for  his  yoke  is  easy, 
and  his  burden  is  light,  to  all  who  put  their  trust 
in  thee.  Thy  statutes  are  right,  and  thy  law  is 
perfect.  Because  the  Lord  reigneth,  let  the  earth 
rejoice  ;  let  the  multitude  of  isles  be  glad  thereof. 
Though  clouds  and  darkness  are  round  about  thee, 
justice  and  judgment  are  the  habitation  of  thy 
throne. 

Lord,  do  good  in  thy  good  pleasure  unto  Zion. 
Build  thou  the  walls  of  Jerusalem.  Be  thou  her 
king,  to  govern,  to  defend,  and  to  lead  her  forward, 
conquering  and  to  conquer.  May  that  stone  which 
was  cut  out  without  hands,  become  a  great  moun- 
tain, and  fill  the  whole  earth. 

Sovereign  of  the  Universe,  teach  all  men  that  it 
is  lawful  for  thee  to  do  what  thou  wilt  with  thine 


271 

own.  Wo  unto  him  that  striveth  with  his  Maker. 
Let  the  potsherds  of  the  earth  strive  with  the  pots- 
herds of  the  earth  ;  but  let  not  the  thing  formed  say 
to  him  that  formed  it,  "  Why  hast  thou  made  me 
thus  ?" — Lord,  bring  the  hearts  of  the  ungodly  to 
bow  in  quiet  and  confiding  submission  to  thy  will. 
Make  them  willing  in  the  day  of  thy  power.  May 
they  know  that  thy  dominion  will  be  an  everlasting 
dominion,  even  though  they  may  never  become  the 
subjects  of  thy  heavenly  kingdom.  Thou  makest 
the  wrath  of  men  to  praise  thee  :  and  when  the 
smoke  of  their  torment  ascendeth  up  forever  and 
ever,  then  shall  be  heard  the  voice  of  a  great  mul- 
titude, as  the  voice  of  many  waters,  and  of  mighty 
thunderings,  saying,  "  Alleluia  ;  for  the  Lord  God, 
Omnipotent,  reigneth." 

SPIRIT. — See  Holy  Ghost. 

SPIRITUALITY. 

Heavenly  Father,  grant  me,  in  the  name  of  Jesus, 
that  spiritual  mind  which  is  life  and  peace.  Let 
not  my  heart  be  troubled  nor  careful  about  the 
things  of  this  world ;  but  let  it  choose  that  better 
part,  which  cannot  be  taken  from  me.  May  I  re- 
gard the  blessing  of  thy  favour  infinitely  above  any 
and  all  earthly  good.  Incline  me  to  find  my  plea- 
sure in  the  services  of  thy  kingdom,  and  not  in  the 
debasements  of  sense.  Purify  my  motives,  and 
make  the  objects  of  my  desires  such  as  shall  be  in 
harmony  with  the  teachings  of  the  Holy  Ghost. — 
Lord,  fill  my  soul  with  those  spiritual  joys  which 
raise  the  heart  above  the  pleasures,  honours  and 
riches  of  the  world  ;  which  throw  the  gladness  of 
hope  over  earth's  darkest  scenes ;  and  which  are 


272 

sweet  foretastes  of  the  happiness  of  that  land  of 
spirits,  where  formality,  and  sense,  and  sin,  shall 
give  place  to  sincerity,  devotion,  and  holiness. 

SPRING. 

Lord,  thou  sendest  out  thy  word,  and  mel test  the 
ice  ;  thou  causest  thy  wind  to  blow,  and  the  waters 
flow.  Lo  !  the  winter  is  past,  and  the  flowers  ap- 
pear on  the  earth :  the  time  of  the  singing  of  birds 
is  come  :  thou  waterest  the  hills  from  thy  cham- 
bers ;  and  thy  breath  maketh  the  earth  fruitful. 

O  may  the  returning  warmth,  the  reviving  ver- 
dure, the  gushing  waters — the  universal  joy  of 
emancipated  nature,  create  an  echo  of  sympathy  in 
my  heart,  and  lead  my  affections  and  devotions  up 
to  thy  throne  in  heaven.  Enlarge,  and  instruct, 
and  sanctify  my  mind  by  frequent  contemplations 
of  thee  in  the  works  of  thy  hands.  May  I  hear  a 
voice  of  wisdom,  and  mystery,  and  praise  from 
every  grain  of  sand  and  blade  of  grass  ;  from  every 
breath  of  air  and  cloud  of  heaven  ;  from  every  drop 
of  dew  and  shower  of  rain  ;  from  every  beam  of 
light  and  shade  of  darkness ;  from  every  flowing 
fountain  and  rolling  river ;  from  every  peaceful 
valley  and  stable  mountain.  Blessed  Lord,  all  thy 
works  praise  thee.  O  why  should  man,  who  en- 
joys thy  richest  blessings,  be  last  and  feeblest  in 
his  testimony  to  thy  greatness  ?  Grant  that  my 
thoughts  may  meditate  on  thy  wonders, — that  my 
lips  may  speak  of  thy  worth — and  that  my  life 
may  show  forth  thy  glory. 

Fill  my  heart  with  love  to  thee,  when  I  look  on 
the  bounty  of  nature  ;  for  thou  art  by  it  preserving 
the  life  of  man  and  beast,  and  bestowing  on  them 
both  gladness  and  plenty.  Let  it  inspire  me  with 


273 

confidence  in  thy  providence  ;  for  if  God  so  clothes 
the  grass,  which  to-day  is  in  the  field,  and  to-morrow 
is  cast  into  the  oven,  shall  he  not  much  more  clothe 
me  ?  And  if  he  feeds  the  fowls  of  the  air,  which  nei- 
ther sow,  nor  reap,  nor  gather  into  barns,  will  he  not 
also  feed  me  ?  Lord,  thou  knowest  that  I  have  need  of 
these  things ;  and  thou  hast  promised  to  add  them  unto 
me,  if  I  seek  first  thy  kingdom  and  righteousness. 

O  thou  that  renewest  the  face  of  the  earth,  grant 
my  soul  the  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Whilst 
thou  art  clothing  creation  with  the  beauty  and  vigour 
of  a  new  life,  give  me,  I  pray  thee,  the  beauty  of 
holiness,  and  make  me  a  new  creature  in  Christ 
Jesus. 

Merciful  God,  give  me  wisdom  to  look  on  life, 
as  the  seedtime  of  man's  estate,  and  on  eternity  as 
its  harvest.  They  that  plough  iniquity,  and  sow 
wickedness,  shall  reap  the  same  ;  but  they  that  sow 
to  the  Spirit,  shall  of  the  Spirit  reap  life  everlasting. 

Lord,  bless  those  who  are  in  the  springtime  of 
life.  May  they  remember  their  Creator  in  the  days 
of  their  youth.  Teach  them  that  though  their  joy 
is  in  its  opening  bud,  thou  canst  blast  it,  ere  it  be- 
come a  flower — though  their  hope  is  full  of  light, 
thou  canst  draw  over  it  the  cloud  of  sorrow — 
though  they  are  in  the  morning  of  life,  thou  canst 
speedily  bring  over  them  the  night  of  death.  O 
dispose  them  to  give  the  bud  of  their  being,  the 
brightness  of  their  hope,  the  dawn  of  their  day,  to 
him  who  made  and  seeks  their  hearts.  And  then, 
when  time  shall  be  no  more,  they  will  dwell  where 
no  cold  shall  wither  their  immortal  bloom,  no  cloud 
cast  a  shadow  over  their  radiant  joy,  and  no  night 
darken  their  endless  day  ! 


274 

SUBMISSION. 

Lord,  grant  me,  through  the  mediation  of  Jesus, 
the  grace  of  submission.  I  pray  thee  let  me  never 
murmur  nor  rebel  against  either  thy  word  or  provi- 
dence. Thou  hast  an  infinite  right  to  reign  in  me, 
and  to  rule  over  me,  and  to  do  with  me,  as  seemeth 
good  in  thy  sight.  Thou  canst  not  devise  any  sta- 
tute, which  is  not  founded  on  infinite  wisdom  and 
goodness.  Thou  canst  not  execute  any  measure, 
that  is  not  sanctioned  by  righteousness  and  grace. 

O  strengthen  me  by  faith  and  love,  that  I  may 
bow  to  every  token  of  thy  will — which  is  indeed  the 
perfection  of  knowledge,  holiness,  and  mercy.  I 
thank  thee,  Lord,  for  that  full  expression  of  it,  which 
thou  hast  bequeathed  in  thy  word.  There  thou 
hast  given  line  upon  line,  and  precept  upon  precept, 
that  none  may  err  therein.  And  yet  how  often 
does  my  heart  forget  and  forsake,  and  sometimes 
contend  against  thy  law.  How  prone  is  it  to  be 
unsubmissive  when  thou  layest  thy  hand  upon  me 
in  correction  or  displeasure. — O  God,  assist  me  to 
recognise  thy  hand  in  all  the  workings  of  thy  pro- 
vidence ;  and  lead  me  to  concur  cheerfully,  with 
every  intimation  which  thou  givest  in  these  things, 
of  thy  sovereign  pleasure.  Incline  me,  I  pray  thee, 
to  receive  thy  commandment  as  the  law  of  my 
language,  feelings,  and  conduct.  Let  me  not  de- 
spise thy  chastenings,  nor  faint  at  thy  rebukes. 
May  I  be  still,  and  know  that  thou  art  God. — [_See 
AFFLICTION.] 

Saviour  of  Man,  bring  the  impenitent  to  submit 
to  thy  will.  Thou  wouldst  indeed  have  them  forsake 
their  rebellion,  and  obey  thy  law;  and  thou  art 
seeking  to  win  them  to  obedience,  by  the  promises 
of  thy  grace,  and  the  warnings  of  thy  wrath.  O 


275 

convince  them  that  thy  judgments  are  round  about 
them,  and  that  the  second  death  is  before  them. 
Show  them  that  their  unreserved  submission  to  thee, 
is  their  only  wisdom  and  safety :  for  then,  instead 
of  being  exposed  to  thy  sore  displeasure,  they  will 
be  received  into  thy  favour,  and  enjoy  the  perfect 
peace  of  him  whose  heart  is  stayed  on  thee. 

SUMMER. 

Creator  of  Heaven  and  Earth,  thou  hast  set  a 
tabernacle  in  the  firmament  for  the  sun.  His  going 
forth  is  from  the  end  of  the  heaven,  and  his  circuit 
unto  the  ends  of  it ;  and  there  is  nothing  that  is  hid 
from  the  heat  thereof. 

Lord,  if  it  please  thee,  preserve  my  health  and 
life  during  these  months,  that  are  so  often  marked 
by  the  ravages  of  disease  and  death.  Especially 
do  thou  keep  my  soul  from  the  maladies  of  sin,  and 
give  me  the  saving  health  of  thy  Spirit,  through  the 
grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  Be  unto  me  as  the  sha- 
dow of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary  land. — Lord,  lift  up 
the  light  of  thy  countenance  upon  rne,  and  send  me 
thy  Sun  of  righteousness,  with  healing  in  his  wings. 
And  through  thy  tender  mercy,  let  the  dayspring 
from  on  high,  visit  those  that  sit  in  darkness,  and  in 
the  shadow  of  death,  to  guide  their  feet  in  the  way 
of  peace. 

Great  Benefactor,  I  thank  thee  for  this  season,  in 
which  thou  art  blessing  the  toil  of  the  labourer,  and 
fulfilling  the  desire  of  the  husbandman.  Disappoint 
not  those  who  wait  for  the  precious  fruit  of  the  earth. 
Let  not  the  ground  be  parched  with  continual  and 
oppressive  heat,  nor  flooded  by  untimely  and  de- 
stroying rain.  Let  the  heavens  give  their  dew — 
make  thou  the  earth  soft  with  showers — give  the 


276 

clear  shining  after  rain,  whereby  the  grass  springeth 
out  of  the  earth — and  let  the  land  yield  her  increase 
abundantly. 

Lord,  whilst  thou  art  giving  seed  to  the  sower, 
and  bread  to  the  eater,  incline  men  to  hunger  and 
thirst  after  righteousness.  Bestow  on  them  that 
bread  of  God,  which  is  he  that  came  down  from 
heaven,  and  gave  his  life  for  the  world,  that  whoso- 
ever cometh  to  him,  should  never  hunger,  and  that 
whosoever  belie veth  on  him,  should  never  thirst. 

O  thou  that  givest  growth  and  plenty,  bless  the 
good  seed  of  thy  word.  As  the  rain  cometh  down 
from  heaven,  and  returneth  not  thither,  but  watereth 
the  earth,  and  maketh  it  to  bring  forth  and  bud ;  so 
let  thy  word  be,  that  goeth  forth  out  of  thy  mouth : 
let  it  not  return  unto  thee  void,  but  accomplish  that 
which  pleases  thee,  and  prosper  in  the  thing  where- 
to thou  hast  sent  it. 

Lord,  when  I  look  on  the  abundance  which  covers 
the  earth,  may  I  remember  those  moral  fields  that 
are  white  already  to  the  harvest ;  which  truly  is 
plenteous,  but  the  labourers  are  few.  I  pray  thee, 
for  Christ's  sake,  send  forth  labourers,  who  shall 
gather  fruit,  unto  life  eternal. 

Gracious  Father,  regard  in  mercy,  those  who, 
unless  they  turn  from  the  error  of  their  ways,  may 
soon  take  up  the  lamentation — "  The  harvest  is 
past,  the  summer  is  ended,  and  we  are  not  saved." 
Break  up  the  fallow  ground  of  their  hearts ;  sow  in 
them  the  seed  of  truth ;  rain  righteousness  upon 
them  ;  and  make  them  as  the  garden  of  the  Lord — 
for  thy  great  name's  sake. 


277 

SWEARING. — See  Profanity. 

/ 

TALENTS. 

Giver  of  Mercies,  thou  hast  been  pleased  to  com- 
mit to  me  various  talents,  which  thou  requirest  me 
to  occupy  until  thy  coming.  Thou  hast  given  me 
time,  property,  influence,  knowledge,  and  feeling, 
wherewith  to  advance  thy  glory,  and  to  promote 
human  welfare.  Lord,  let  me  not  be  as  the  wicked 
and  slothful  servant,  who  hid  his  talent  in  the  earth, 
and  vainly  sought  to  avert  the  doom  of  his  guilty 
indolence.  Alas,  how  have  the  faculties  and  op- 
portunities thou  hast  in  mercy  given  me,  been  neg- 
lected, perverted,  and  abused.  Too  often  I  have 
sought  my  own  corrupt  pleasures,  instead  of  fulfill- 
ing the  exalted  and  ennobling  duties  thou  hast  set 
before  me.  O  give  me  an  everpresent  conviction, 
that  the  means  with  which  thou  hast  invested  me, 
are  only  gifts  in  trust,  which  thou  wilt  require  from 
me  again,  with  usury.  Help  me,  I  beseech  thee, 
so  to  understand  and  employ  them,  that  in  the  great 
day  of  reckoning,  I  may  receive  the  plaudit-— 
"  Well  done,  thou  good  and  faithful  servant ;  thou 
hast  been  faithful  over  a  few  things,  I  will  make 
thee  ruler  over  many  things  :  enter  thou  into  the 
joy  of  thy  Lord." 

TEACHERS. 

Lord,  bless  all  those  who,  in  their  various  spheres, 
have  taken  charge  of  the  important  business  of  in- 
struction. Dispose  and  enable  them  to  guide  the 
untutored  and  inquiring  into  the  acquisition  of 
knowledge  ;  and  fit  them  to  guard  from  evil,  and  to 
mould  for  good,  the  characters  of  those  who  arc 
24 


278 

committed  to  their  care.  O  preserve  our  youth 
from  the  corrupting  and  destroying  evils  of  igno- 
rant and  immoral  instructers.  Inform  the  minds, 
and  sanctify  the  hearts  of  teachers.  Give  them  that 
wisdom  from  above,  which  will  prepare  them  to 
train  their  pupils  in  the  highest  and  noblest  know- 
ledge that  can  adorn  human  nature. — Multiply  the 
facilities  of  education  ;  put  them  within  the  reach 
of  all  classes  ;  and  dispose  all  men  to  seek  the  in- 
tellectual, moral,  and  religious  culture  of  the  rising 
generation. 

O  Lord,  vouchsafe,  for  the  sake  of  thy  dear  Son, 
thy  choicest  blessings  on  the  Teachers  of  Sabbath- 
schools.  Give  unto  all  of  them  the  character  and 
efficiency  which  are  needful  for  their  sacred  duties. 
Let  them  not  make  these  holy  efforts,  the  pastime 
of  the  Sabbath,  an  opiate  of  conscience,  or  a  service 
to  be  seen  of  men.  But  let  all  their  impulses  in 
them,  spring  from  love  to  God  and  love  to  man. 
Imbue  all  their  thoughts  and  labours  in  this  work, 
with  a  supreme  regard  for  thy  glory  and  human 
welfare.  While  they  take  pleasure  in  ever}*  lesser 
degree  of  success,  O  make  the  conversion  of  souls 
their  steadfast  and  absorbing  aim  ! 

Impress  on  their  minds,  the  priceless  value,  the 
high  dignity,  the  solemn  obligations,  and  the  glorious 
reward  of  their  office.  Show  them  that  it  relates 
to  the  worth  of  the  soul ;  that  it  is  kindred  in  its 
sympathies  with  the  love  of  Jesus  ;  that  its  respon- 
sibilities take  hold  of  eternal  issues  ;  and  that  its 
faithful  discharge  will  make  them  as  the  brightness 
of  the  firmament,  and  as  the  stars,  forever  and 
ever ! 

Great  God,  give  them  an  experimental  knowledge 
of  that  salvation  which  is  the  great  and  final  object 


279 

of  the  system. — May  all  their  duties  in  it  be  begun, 
continued,  and  ended  in  earnest  prayer,  and  with 
entire  dependence  and  unwavering  reliance  on  the 
ministrations  of  the  Holy  Spirit. — Give  them  those 
preparations  of  the  heart,  and  that  answer  of  the 
tongue,  which  are  from  thee  ;  and  grant  them  a 
mouth  and  wisdom,  by  which  they  may  persuade 
their  youthful  charge  in  the  things  concerning  the 
kingdom  of  God. — Make  them  able  ministers  of  the 
New  Testament;  and  let  thy  word  dwell  in  them 
richly,  in  all  wisdom,  that  they  may  be  thoroughly 
furnished  in  their  good  work. — Make  them  fervent 
in  spirit,  that  they  may  teach  diligently,  the  things 
of  the  Lord. — Cause  their  example  to  adorn  the 
doctrine  of  God,  their  Saviour,  and  to  allure  those 
whom  they  teach,  into  the  same  path  of  obedience. 
Lord,  dispose  them  to  avail  themselves  of  the 
various  helps  which  the  wise  and  good  have  fur- 
nished for  their  cause  ;  and  let  them  not  grudge  the 
time,  and  toil,  and  cost  which  are  necessary  to  pre- 
pare them  to  meet  and  instruct  their  classes. — Let 
the  spirit  of  affection  manifest  itself  in  all  their 
measures  ;  and  may  they  seek  to  draw  their  pupils 
with  the  cords  of  love,  and  the  bands  of  a  man. — 
Make  them  patient  in  every  trial  which  they  may 
encounter,  through  failure,  or  ignorance,  or  vice,  or 
enmity. — May  that  intention  to  succeed  which 
stimulates  their  efforts,  and  secures  their  objects,  in 
worldly  pursuits,  animate  them  with  the  purpose  of 
success  in  this  calling;  but,  Lord,  let  this  spirit  ever 
be  pervaded  by  a  sense  of  dependence  on  thee. — Let 
them  be  punctual  in  all  the  appointments  of  the 
school ;  redeeming  the  time,  because  the  days  are 
evil. — Let  them  not  be  satisfied  with  filling  up  the 
brief  hours  allotted  to  instruction  in  the  schoolroom ; 


280 

but  may  it  be  their  pleasure  (as  it  it  is  their  duty) 
to  visit  the  homes  of  their  scholars  ;  and,  while 
they  minister  a  word  in  season,  secure  and  strength- 
en the  good-will  of  both  parents  and  children.  Make 
them  wise  to  know,  and  skilful  to  use,  the  influences 
which  mould  human  character  and  conduct. — Let 
all  the  mutual  relations  of  teachers  be  governed  by 
the  fellowship  of  saints. — Suffer  none  to  draw  back 
in  weariness  or  discouragement  from  these  precious 
duties  ;  but  do  thou  make  them  always  abound  in 
this  work  of  the  Lord. — O  Lord,  grant  that  the  eye 
of  their  faith  may  ever  be  fixed  on  that  promise — 
44  In  due  season  ye  shall  reap,  if  ye  faint  not :"  and 
that  the  ear  of  their  hope  may  ever  listen  to  that 
verdict — "  Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  unto  one  of 
the  least  of  these  my  brethren,  ye  have  done  it  unto 
me." 

Gracious  God,  give  them  abundant  success  in 
their  labours.  Make  them  leading  instruments  in 
spreading  divine  knowledge,  enlarging  missionary 
efforts,  sanctifying  thy  church,  promoting  revivals 
of  religion,  and  regenerating  the  world. 

TEMPER. 

Lord,  sanctify  my  temper.  Preserve  me  from 
peevishness,  envy,  anger,  revenge,  and  malice.  Ena- 
ble me  to  maintain  an  unruffled  spirit  amid  the  vex- 
ations of  circumstances,  and  the  provocations  of  my 
fellow-creatures.  May  that  wisdom  from  above, 
which  is  peaceable,  gentle,  and  easy  to  be  entreated, 
be  the  governing  influence  of  my  life,  and  lead  rne 
to  seek  the  fruit  of  righteousness,  which  is  sown  in 
peace,  of  them  that  make  peace.  Enable  me  to  imi- 
tate the  quiet  meekness  of  him  who  lived  as  our 
Example,  as  well  as  died  as  our  Redeemer,  Lord, 


281 

keep  me  from  those  occasional  or  habitual  excite- 
ments of  temper,  which  rob  my  mind  of  comfort, 
dishonour  my  profession  of  thy  name,  and  turn 
away  thy  precious  favour.  Vouchsafe  unto  me, 
O  God,  the  continual  presence  of  that  ornament  of 
a  rneek  and  quiet  spirit,  which  in  thy  sight  is  of 
great  price. 

TEMPERANCE. — See  Intemperance. 

TEMPTATION. 

Great  God,  make  me  realize  that  I  live  in  con- 
stant danger  of  temptations  from  foes  without  and 
enemies  within.  Satan,  with  his  countless  wiles 
— my  own  heart,  with  its  self-deceit  and  sensuality 
— the  world,  with  its  many  lures — each  seeks  to 
draw  me  from  the  paths  of  duty,  and  to  lead  me  in 
the  ways  of  unrighteousness.  Lord,  thou  hast,  in- 
deed, purposes  of  wisdom,  in  suffering  me  to  be 
thus  subject  to  temptation.  Thou  canst  overrule  it 
for  my  conformity  to  Christ,  who  was  in  all  points 
tempted  like  as  we  are,  yet  without  sin.  It  is  in 
such  seasons,  O  Most  High,  that  thy  strength  is 
made  perfect  in  our  weakness  ;  and  that  we  are  en- 
abled to  glory  in  our  infirmities,  that  the  power  of 
Christ  may  rest  on  us.  And  thou  often  givest  us, 
in  mercy,  the  messengers  of  Satan,  to  buffet  us,  lest 
we  be  exalted  above  measure.  They  that  are  tried, 
and  found  faithful,  shall  receive  a  crown  of  life, 
which  the  Lord  hath  promised  to  them  that  love 
him. 

Heavenly  Father,  make  thy  grace  sufficient  for 
me  in  every  season  of  trial — in  the  hour  of  adversi- 
ty— in  the  day  of  prosperity — in  the  period  when 
exemption  from  temptation  has  left  me  open  to  se- 
24* 


282 

duction — and  when  the  abounding  consolations  of 
thy  Spirit  have  been  perverted  into  heedlessness 
towards  the  spiritual  dangers  which  beset  me.  Give 
me  wisdom  to  discover,  and  strength  to  resist,  the 
approach  of  evil.  Let  me  say  at  every  enticement, 
"  How  can  I  do  this  wickedness,  and  sin  against 
God  ?"  May  I  watch  unto  prayer,  knowing  that 
thou  art  a  very  present  help  in  every  hour  of  need  ; 
and  that  thou  wilt,  with  the  temptation,  also  make 
a  way  of  escape,  for  all  that  are  of  thy  heritage. — 
Lord,  carry  me  safely  through  every  danger,  and  in 
thine  own  time,  give  me  an  inheritance  among  those 
who  have  come  out  of  great  tribulation,  and  have 
washed  their  robes,  and  made  them  white,  in  the 
blood  of  the  Lamb  ! 

THANKSGIVING. 

Lord,  I  bring  unto  thee  the  sacrifice  of  thanks- 
giving ;  for  thou  art  the  Father  of  Lights,  from 
whom  cometh  every  good  and  perfect  gift.  I  desire 
to  praise  thee  for  the  multitude  of  thy  favours,  and 
to  acknowledge  that  I  have  not  deserved  even  the 
least  of  them.  I  would  magnify  thee  for  thy  pro- 
viding, sparing,  forgiving,  and  saving  mercies.  I 
I  bless  thee  for  the  various  powers  of  my  body,  the 
faculties  of  my  mind,  and  the  affections  of  my  heart ; 
for  health  and  employment ;  for  food  and  clothing ; 
for  social  happiness  and  public  safety.  I  thank 
thee  for  preserving  me  in  the  weakness  and  diseases 
of  childhood,  and  conducting  me  over  the  slippery 
paths  of  youth,  and  protecting  me  amid  the  dangers 
of  riper  years.  Thou  hast  indeed  made  my  life, 
which  ought,  in  justice,  to  have  been  a  wilderness, 
to  bud  and  blossom  as  the  rose.  My  trials  have 


283 

been  few  and  short ;  while  my  mercies  have  been 
without  number  and  without  end. 

But,  O  Lord,  I  would  thank  thee  for  the  blessings 
of  the  gospel,  more  than  for  every  thing  else.  O 
what  a  rich  cluster  of  gifts  is  offered  to  us  in  the 
grace  that  bringeth  salvation.  Thou  hast  given  us 
the  Bible,  the  preached  word,  the  privilege  of  prayer, 
the  ordinances  of  thy  house,  the  Son  of  God,  the 
influences  of  thy  Holy  Spirit,  and  the  hope  of  glory.. 
Lord,  teach  me  the  value  of  thy  bounties.  Strength- 
en my  memory  that  I  may  retain  a  knowledge  of 
them.  Fill  my  heart  with  gratitude  and  love,  be- 
cause of  thine  unnumbered,  unmerited  blessings. 
May  they  lead  me  to  repentance,  humility,  and 
faith,  and  to  consecrate  them  and  myself  to  thy  ser- 
vice and  glory. 

THEATRE. 

Heavenly  Father,  create  an  intelligent  and  vir- 
tuous public  sentiment  in  relation  to  the  dangers  of 
theatres ;  and  let  it  be  such  as  shall  lead  to  their 
speedy  abandonment  and  suppression.  Dispel  the  fal- 
lacy of  those  who  regard  the  playhouse  as  a  "  school 
of  morals."  Let  the  character  of  its  teachers  and 
pupils,  the  language  it  offers  to  the  ear,  and  the 
scenes  it  presents  to  the  eye,  with  its  appendages 
of  intemperance  and  lewdness,  be  swift  witnesses 
to  all  men,  that  it  is  a  school  of  vice.  Lord,  keep 
our  youth  from  venturing  into  the  magic  circles  of 
its  corrupting  influence.  O  how  many,  for  whom 
a  father's  daily  toil  and  a  mother's  anxious  care, 
have  been  spent,  have  laid  here  the  sure  foundation 
of  dissipation,  fraud,  debauchery,  and  ruin.  O  when 
shall  the  offerings  to  this  Moloch  cease  ?  Although 
drunk  with  the  blood  of  souls,  its  voice  is  still  "  Give 


284 

give !"     And  still   its   courts,   and  shambles,   and 
altars  are  crowded  with  the  living  sacrifices. 

God  of  Israel,  let  none  who  profess  thy  name, 
give  the  theatre  their  patronage.  For  what  fellow- 
ship hath  righteousness  with  unrighteousness,  and 
what  concord  hath  Christ  with  Belial  ?  Persuade 
the  moral  and  influential,  who  now  encourage  and 
uphold  this  system,  that  it  is  full  of  danger  to 
private  good  and  public  welfare.  Direct  the  popu- 
lar taste,  which  now  sanctions  and  demands  this 
amusement,  into  other  and  better  pursuits.  Let  the 
joys  of  the  domestic  circle,  the  pleasures  of  social 
intercourse,  and  the  pursuit  of  useful  knowledge, 
have  more  attractions  than  the  mimic  fancies  of  the 
playhouse.  Turn  many  feet,  that  stray  to  it  nightly, 
into  the  house  of  God ;  there  to  learn,  instead  of 
the  fictions  of  worldly  scenes,  the  realities  of  end- 
less life. — Lord,  cause  these  walls  that  now  echo  to 
the  foolish  song,  the  profane  jest,  and  the  licentious 
speech,  to  resound  with  the  hymn  of  praise,  the 
voice  of  prayer,  and  the  word  of  God.  Let  the  tem- 
ple of  Satan  become  the  tabernacle  of  the  Most  High  ! 

THEFT. 

Blessed  God,  cause  all  dishonesty  to  cease  from 
the  face  of  the  earth.  Let  men  no  longer  unjustly 
hinder  their  neighbour's  wealth  or  outward  estate. 
Destroy  that  spirit  of  covetousness  which  urges 
mankind  to  fraud,  robbery,  and  oppression,  and  to 
be  partakers  of  unholy  gain.  Do  thou  cause  the 
principles  of  strict  and  impartial  honesty  to  govern 
the  relations  of  commerce,  and  of  master  and  ser- 
vant. Give  currency  and  influence,  I  pray  thee, 
to  that  blessed  rule,  of  doing  unto  others  as  we 
would  they  should  do  unto  us. 


285 

Lord  keep  me  from  indulging  in  any  form  of  dis- 
honesty. Make  me  just  to  all  the  lawful  interests 
of  my  fellows.  Let  me  never  desire  to  increase  my 
own  substance  at  their  expense ;  nor  to  withhold 
from  any,  however  humble  or  unworthy,  the  debts 
of  justice  and  humanity.  Incline  me  always  to 
rejoice  in  the  good  of  my  neighbour,  and  to  walk 
uprightly  and  work  righteousness. 

TIME. — See  Life. 

TONGUE. 

Lord,  make  my  voice  a  testimony  of  praise  unto 
thee,  and  an  organ  of  wisdom  and  love  unto  men. 
Dispose  me  to  speak  of  thine  excellent  goodness,  to 
confess  my  manifold  transgressions,  and  to  suppli- 
cate thy  satisfying  mercies.  Give  me  grace  to  pro- 
claim and  defend  thy  word.  Make  me  an  advocate 
of  the  innocent  and  the  oppressed.  Incline  me  to 
encourage  that  which  is  good,  and  to  reprove  that 
which  is  evil.  May  I  seek  useful  knowledge,  with 
the  purpose  of  teaching  it  to  others.  And,  Lord,  I 
would  fervently  implore  thee,  for  Christ's  sake,  that 
I  may  be  led  to  persuade  men  to  be  reconciled  to 
thee,  by  the  death  of  thy  Son. 

Great  Author  of  Goodness,  I  thank  thee  for  the 
gift  of  speech.  But,  O,  I  desire  to  realize  that  it  is 
an  instrument  whose  uses  are  fearfully  abused.  How 
often,  alas  !  does  the  tongue  become  an  unruly 
member,  and  full  of  deadly  poison  ;  producing  en- 
vying and  strife,  confusion  and  every  evil  work. 
Set  a  watch,  O  Lord,  before  my  mouth,  and  keep 
the  door  of  my  lips.  Keep  my  tongue  from  evil, 
and  my  lips  from  speaking  guile.  Thou  hast  said, 
that  if  any  man  seem  to  be  religious,  and  bridle th 


286 

not  his  tongue,  he  deceiveth  his  own  heart ;  and 
his  religion  is  vain.  Enable  me  to  bring  forth  good 
things  out  of  the  good  treasure  of  the  heart,  and  let 
my  words  be  of  the  uprightness  of  my  heart.  Put 
away  from  me  all  bitterness  and  evil  speaking ;  and 
let  no  corrupt  communication  proceed  out  of  my 
mouth,  but  that  which  is  good,  to  the  use  of  edify- 
ing, that  it  may  minister  grace  unto  the  hearers. — 
[See  SLANDER.] 

TRACTS. 

Heavenly  Father,  bless  the  efforts  which  are 
made  to  spread  thy  truth,  by  means  of  tracts.  It  was 
in  this  form  thou  didst  first  cause  to  be  gathered  the 
words  of  wisdom,  which  holy  men  spake  of  old,  as 
they  were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  As  thou 
didst  then  set  the  seal  of  thy  favour  on  such  instru- 
ments, so  thou  art  now  using  them  as  means  of 
turning  sinners  from  death  unto  life. 

Lord,  bless  those  societies,  in  our  own  and  other 
countries,  which  have  undertaken  to  promote,  in  this 
way,  the  welfare  of  thy  kingdom.  Give  them  wis- 
dom and  grace  in  all  their  measures.  May  they  be 
sustained  by  the  prayers,  and  gifts,  and  labours  of 
thy  people.  O  that  all  the  children  of  Zion  would 
feelingly  understand  the  power  of  the  press,  in  fur- 
nishing these  leaves  for  the  healing  of  the  nations. 
I  thank  thee  for  the  influence  which  has  been  given 
to  them  in  heathen  lands,  and  for  the  rich  promises 
which  the  signs  of  the  times  afford,  as  to  their 
future  usefulness,  both  at  home  and  abroad.  I  pray 
thee,  multiply  their  number,  and  send  them  to  all 
the  dark  places  of  the  earth,  as  winged  messengers, 
proclaiming  the  everlasting  gospeL 


287 

Lord,  extend  and  bless  their  circulation  in  our 
own  land.  Grant  thy  rich  favour  to  the  monthly 
distribution,  wherever  it  is  sustained ;  and  do  thou 
cause  it  to  be  established  in  every  community  in  our 
country.  May  all  who  have  undertaken  that  plan 
of  benevolence,  connect  with  it  personal  efforts  for 
the  conversion  of  souls.  While  they  supply  the 
temporal  wants  of  the  poor,  and  give  the  Bible  to  the 
destitute,  and  gather  neglected  children  into  Sunday- 
schools,  and  seek  to  stay  the  desolations  of  intem- 
perance, O  may  they  realize  that  their  great  work, 
in  connexion  with  their  tract  distribution,  is  to  labour 
personally  and  faithfully,  for  the  salvation  of  those 
with  whom  they  are  thus  brought  in  contact.  Sanc- 
tion abundantly,  all  such  efforts,  by  the  enlightening, 
convincing,  and  converting  power  of  the  Holy 
Spirit. 

TRAVELLING. 

O  thou  that  directest  the  steps  of  men,  preserve 
me  from  accident,  sickness,  and  death,  when  I  am 
absent  from  home  ;  and  restore  me  to  its  comforts 
and  privileges,  refreshed  and  strengthened  for  all 
its  various  duties.  I  beseech  thee  especially,  that 
thou  wouldst  warn  me  against  the  spiritual  dangers 
to  which  I  am  exposed  in  such  seasons;  and  do 
thou  enable  me  to  escape  them,  and  gather  profit 
to  myself,  and  do  good  to  others,  in  all  my  journey- 
ings.  Suffer  me  not  to  neglect  secret  prayer,  nor 
the  reading  of  thy  word,  nor  the  study  of  my  heart. 
Let  not  my  mind  be  dissipated  by  idleness,  nor  my 
soul  be  corrupted  by  pleasure.  Permit  not  my  cha- 
racter to  take  its  colour  from  every  object  it  meets. 
If  I  must  mingle  with  the  wicked,  allow  me  to  have 
no  fellowship  with  their  works  of  darkness,  but 


288 

rather  to  reprove  them.  Let  me  not  profane  thy  holy 
Sabbath  by  continuing  to  travel  on  it ;  nor  refrain 
from  its  services,  when  I  rest  through  its  sacred 
hours.  And  suffer  me  not  to  do  any  thing  which  I 
would  avoid  amid  the  restraints  of  the  family,  or 
among  those  that  know  me. — May  I  make  the  Bible 
my  companion,  and  the  throne  of  grace  my  home, 
in  all  my  travels.  Give  me  courage  and  grace  to 
defend  the  truth,  and  to  do  good,  as  I  have  oppor- 
tunity. Make  me  realize  that  wherever  I  go,  thine 
eye  is  upon  me  ;  and  let  this  impression  make  the 
state  of  my  heart,  and  the  tenor  of  my  life,  such  as 
become  a  profession  of  godliness. — O  may  I  say, 
at  the  outset  of  every  journey,  with  thy  servant  of 
old,  "  Lord,  if  thy  presence  go  not  with  me,  carry 
me  not  up  hence." 

TRINITY. 

Great  God,  cause  my  understanding  to  acknow- 
ledge, and  my  heart  to  adore,  the  mystery  of  the 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  who  are  the  same  in 
substance,  equal  in  power  and  glory,  and  who  con- 
stitute the  infinite,  eternal,  and  unchangeable  God- 
head. Lord,  let  not  my  feeble  and  erring  judgment 
stagger  at  nor  exalt  itself  against  the  testimony  of 
thy  word :  but  what  thou  hast  revealed,  that  may 
I  receive  with  a  willing  mind.  O  do  thou  enable 
me  to  receive  the  Father,  in  all  the  fulness  of  his 
love — the  Son,  in  all  the  riches  of  his  atonement 
— and  the  Spirit,  in  all  the  sanctifying  power  of  his 
grace. 

God  of  Truth,  banish  that  heresy,  which,  in  the 
pride  of  human  reason,  would  vainly  seek  to  pervert 
the  doctrine  of  the  Unity  of  the  Godhead,  so  as  to 
destroy  the  belief  of  the  glorious  Trinity.  May  all 


289 

men  learn  that  there  are  three  that  bear  record  in 
heaven,  and  that  these  three  are  one.  May  they 
honour  the  Son,  even  as  they  honour  the  Father ; 
and  worship  that  Spirit,  whose  ministrations  are  life 
because  of  righteousness  ' 

TRUST. — See  Confidence. 

TRUTH. 

Heavenly  Father,  dispel  every  form  of  error,  by 
the  power  of  uncorrupted  truth.  L.ord,  thy  word  is 
truth.  Give  it,  therefore,  free  course,  that  it  may 
be  glorified  in  redeeming  the  corrupt  and  wandering 
minds  of  men,  from  the  deceptions  of  prejudice  and 
error.  Bring  all  mankind  to  a  knowledge  of  it, 
and  especially  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  which 
only  is  able  to  make  them  wise  unto  salvation.  In- 
struct them  in  that  mystery,  which  was  hid  from 
ages  and  from  generations,  but  now  is  made  mani- 
fest to  the  saints  ;  which  is  Christ,  in  them,  the 
hope  of  glory. 

Lord,  assist  me  to  love  thy  truth,  and  to  seek  its 
promotion,  even  though  it  may  cover  me  with  re- 
buke and  shame.  May  it  turn  me  from  every  refuge 
of  lies,  and  bring  me  to  trust  in  thee  with  all  my 
heart.  May  sincerity  dwell  in  my  soul,  and  truth 
have  its  image  in  my  heart,  and  verity  be  found  on 
my  lips.  Teach  me  to  abhor  deceit  in  every  pos- 
sible form.  May  I  remember  that  nothing  can  enter 
the  holy  city  that  maketh  or  loveth  a  lie  ;  and  that 
the  lip  of  truth  shall  be  established  forever. — \_See 
FALSEHOOD.] 

Great  God,  thou  art  the  fountain  of  untarnished 
truth,  and  with  thee  there  is  no  variableness,  nor 
shadow  of  turning.  No  form  of  deceit  has  ever 
25 


290 

cast  a  stain  on  the  purity  of  thy  purposes  and  deal- 
ings. Though  the  mountains  depart,  and  the  hills 
be  removed,  thy  kindness  doth  not  depart  from 
thee  ;  neither  is  the  covenant  of  thy  peace  removed. 
Thy  word  is  the  counsels  of  faithfulness ;  thy  pro- 
mises are  all  Yea  and  Amen;  and  thy  threatenings, 
though  they  be  not  speedily  executed,  shall  be  ful- 
filled in  righteousness.  O  Lord,  give  me  such  a 
persuasion  of  thy  faithfulness,  as  shall  encourage 
and  strengthen  my  heart  in  every  endurance  of  trial, 
and  in  every  performance  of  duty.  Help  me  to 
commit  the  keeping  of  my  soul  unto  thee,  in  well- 
doing, as  unto  a  faithful  Creator. 

UNBELIEF. 

Adorable  Jehovah,  I  beseech  thee,  let  there  not 
be  in  me  an  evil  heart  of  unbelief,  in  departing  from 
the  living  God.  May  I  ever  regard  it  as  the  parent 
of  all  iniquity  :  for  if  faith  were  perfect,  there  would 
be  no  transgression.  Assist  me  to  know  and  feel 
that  this  sin  dishonours  thy  glorious  name,  thy  pre- 
cious word,  and  thy  righteous  providence.  Make 
me  feel  that  it  shuts  out  the  light  of  thy  counte- 
nance, and  brings  the  darkness  of  spiritual  ignorance 
and  death  over  my  soul.  O  may  I  reflect  on  the 
doom  of  him  that  believeth  not,  and  is  condemned 
already.  Enable  me  to  watch  unto  prayer,  against 
this  destroying  evil.  Protect  me  from  the  influ- 
ences which  lead  to  it — from  Satan,  from  ignorance, 
from  pride,  and  from  sensuality.  Lord,  redeem  me 
from  its  power,  by  the  teachings  of  thy  word  and 
Spirit.  Rebuke  it  by  the  example  of  thine  ancient 
saints,  who  all  died  in  faith,  not  having  received  the 
promises ;  but  having  seen  them  afar  oft',  were  per- 
suaded of  them,  and  embraced  them.  Give  my 


291 

judgment  a  clear  perception  of  truth,  and  bring  my 
affections  into  submission  to  thy  will :  and  then, 
thanks  be  to  thy  name,  I  shall  believe  with  my 
heart  unto  righteousness,  and  praise  thee  in  the 
obedience  of  faith.  Lord,  I  would  believe  ;  help 
thou  mine  unbelief. — [See  FAITH.] 

UNDERSTANDING. 

Omniscient  Jehovah,  I  thank  thee  for  the  gift  of 
my  understanding,  by  which  I  may  acquire  know- 
ledge, and  without  which  I  should  be  ignorant  of  thy 
law,  and  should  live  as  the  brutes  that  perish.  I 
pray  tnee,  in  the  name  of  the  Heavenly  Advocate, 
that  thou  wouldst  make  me  feel  the  solemn  re- 
sponsibilities which  belong  to  the  noble  faculty  of 
reason.  Let  not  ignorance,  nor  prejudice,  nor  de- 
pravity control  its  exercises.  Preserve  it  from  error, 
and  guide  it  into  the  knowledge  of  truth.  Make  it 
a  storehouse  of  useful  knowledge.  Direct  its  en- 
ergies chiefly  towards  that  wisdom  which  is  from 
above.  Grant  me  enlarged  and  discriminating  views 
of  thy  character,  works,  and  will.  Dispose  me, 
great  God,  to  submit  my  judgment  to  the  tokens 
of  thy  mind,  in  all  things  ;  for  thine  understanding 
is  infinite. 

UNION. 

Shepherd  of  Israel,  teach  thy  people  how  good 
and  pleasant  a  thing  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell  to- 
gether in  unity.  It  is  as  the  dew  that  descended  on 
the  mountains  of  Zion  ;  there  the  Lord  commanded 
the  blessing,  even  life  for  evermore.  May  they 
mourn  over  the  unkindness  and  strife  that  so  often 
prevail  among  those  who  bear  the  same  party  name. 
May  they  lament  over  the  sectional  feelings  which 


292 

alienate  the  members  of  different  communions,  and 
forbid  the  universal  fellowship  of  saints.  God  of 
Peace,  let  not  Ephraim  envy  Judah,  nor  Judah  vex 
Ephraim. 

O  Lord,  why  should  there  be  any  other  test  of 
brotherhood  than  that  of  union  to  Christ  ?  Why 
should  the  children  of  adoption  treat  each  other  as 
strangers  and  foreigners  ?  Why  should  those  who 
expect  to  be  joint-heirs  of  the  inheritance  of  heaven, 
refuse  fellowship  with  each  other  on  earth  ?  O 
God  of  Love,  rebuke  every  spirit  of  dissension. 
Bring  together  all  the  scattered  fragments  of  thy 
church,  and  bind  them  by  that  charity  which  is  the 
bond  of  perfectness.  As  there  is  but  one  Shepherd, 
so  let  there  be  but  one  fold.  As  there  is  but  one 
King,  so  let  there  be  but  one  dominion.  Let  the 
heritage  of  God  be  a  household  of  faith,  that  shall 
stand  fast  in  one  spirit,  with  one  mind,  striving  to- 
gether for  the  faith  of  the  gospel.  Lord,  cause  the 
unity  of  the  spirit  to  bring  together  all  thy  followers 
in  the  bond  of  peace  ;  that  they  may  be  one,  even 
as  the  Father  and  Son  are  ONE  ! 

USEFULNESS. 

God  of  Salvation,  I  would  ask  thee  in  the  name 
of  thy  dear  Son,  to  dispose  me  to  do  good  as  I  have 
opportunity  ;  for  with  such  sacrifices  thou  art  well 
pleased.  May  I  remember  that  every  tree  that 
bringeth  not  forth  good  fruit,  is  hewn  down,  and 
cast  into  the  fire.  Thou  hast  placed  me  in  the  gar- 
den of  thy  providence,  not  merely  that  I  should  ga- 
ther fruit  for  myself,  but  for  others  also.  Thou  hast 
put  me  into  the  fruitful  field  of  thy  grace,  not  that  I 
might  obtain  food  for  myself  only,  but  also  that  I 
mi'ght  give  the  bread  of  life  to  others.  Christ  has 


293 

not  died  for  me  that  I  should  live  unto  myself,  but 
unto  him,  in  the  spirit  of  his  gospel ;  which  is  good- 
will toward  men.  Teach  me,  O  Lord,  that  life 
does  not  consist  so  much  in  length  of  days,  as  in 
the  multitude  of  our  acts  of  justice  and  mercy  to 
mankind.  I  pray  thee,  direct  me  to  such  means 
and  objects  of  good- will,  as  shall  qualify  me  to  be 
a  follower  of  Jesus,  who  went  about  doing  good. 
Keep  me  from  weariness  in  well-doing.  Lead  me 
to  supply  the  wants  of  the  needy,  to  comfort  the 
distresses  of  the  afflicted,  and  to  remove  the  causes 
of  misfortune  and  guilt  Enable  me  to  instruct  the 
ignorant,  to  reprove  the  wicked,  to  strengthen  the 
good,  and  to  win  souls  from  the  mazes  of  error  and 
sin,  to  the  ways  of  truth  and  holiness. 

w  A  R. 

God  of  Peace,  give  me  a  heart  to  mourn  over  the 
temporal  and  spiritual  woes  that  have  been  inflicted 
on  our  guilty  race  by  war.  For  from  the  days  of 
ungodly  Cain,  contention  and  carnage  have  filled 
up  the  measure  of  every  generation;  and  thou  hast 
written  the  proof  of  human  depravity,  in  the  whole 
history  of  the  world ;  every  page  of  which  is  red 
with  the  blood  of  man. 

Lord,  instruct  all  men  in  relation  to  the  evils  and 
remedies  of  war.  Show  them  that  it  involves  na- 
tions in  oppressive  debt,  cripples  the  productive  in- 
dustry of  countries,  and  spreads  poverty  and  de- 
solation over  the  homes  of  plenty  and  comfort.  Let 
their  sympathies  follow  its  ravages,  where  it  makes 
the  parent  childless,  the  wife  a  widow,  the  child  an 
orphan,  and  the  sister  brotherless.  May  they  dwell 
on  the  bleeding  wounds,  and  the  dying  strife  of  the 
battle-field,  where  untold  millions  have  been  cut  off 
25* 


294 

in  the  midst  of  health  and  life.  And  O,  let  their 
deep  compassions  pursue  its  havoc  into  that  land  of 
souls,  where  these  crowds  of  immortal  spirits  have 
been  driven ;  alas,  how  seldom  with  any  hope  of 
salvation  ! 

I  bless  thee,  gracious  God,  that  the  thoughts  of 
the  humane  and  good  have  been  directed  to  this  sub- 
ject, in  the  hope  of  lessening  and  banishing  its  evils ; 
and  that  a  public  sentiment  is  forming,  which  ac- 
knowledges its  woes,  and  seeks  its  suppression. 
Do  thou  reconcile,  upon  the  basis  of  truth,  every 
discordant  opinion  and  measure  for  its  extirpation. 
Unite  for  this  object,  the  desires  and  efforts  of  the 
benevolent  and  pious  in  every  land.  Let  thy 
blessed  gospel,  which  is  peace  on  earth,  supplant 
everywhere  that  selfishness  and  revenge,  which 
are  the  fruitful  sources  of  national  strife.  O  God, 
break  the  bow  ;  burn  the  chariot  in  the  fire ;  beat 
the  sword  into  a  ploughshare,  and  the  spear  into  a 
pruninghook  ;  and  make  wars  to  cease  unto  the  end 
of  the  earth ! 

WATCHFULNESS. 

Lord,  instruct  me  in  the  nature  of  the  spiritual 
dangers  by  which  I  am  beset,  and  make  me  ever 
watchful  against  their  open  or  secret  influences. 
Make  me  vigilant  against  the  corruptions  of  my 
own  heart — its  love  of  indulgence,  of  riches,  and  of 
display.  Inspire  me  with  carefulness  in  my  inter- 
course with  the  world,  lest  it  draw  me  aside  into 
the  paths  of  vanity  and  sin.  Enable  me  to  watch 
against  the  temptations  of  Satan,  who  is  the  adver- 
sary of  the  soul,  and  seeks  its  destruction  by  count- 
less stratagems.  Let  the  memory  of  my  past  falls 
and  backslidings,  make  me  heedful  lest  I  become 


295 

entangled  in  like  snares.  May  my  loins  be  girt 
about,  and  my  light  be  burning ;  and  may  I  receive 
the  blessing  of  those  servants,  whom,  when  the 
Lord  cometh,  he  shall  find  watching. 

WIDOWHOOD. 

Lord,  regard  in  mercy  her  from  whom  thou  hast 
taken  her  earthly  stay  and  comfort.  Thou  hast 
indeed  stricken  her  in  her  dearest  and  tenderest  ties. 
The  light  of  her  eyes,  the  counsellor  of  her  mind, 
the  helper  of  her  weakness,  the  soother  of  her  sor- 
rows, the  partner  of  her  joys — thou  hast  removed, 
without  the  hope  of  return.  But  thou  art  the  hus- 
band of  the  widow,  and  the  father  of  the  fatherless. 
O  may  her  desolate  heart  trust  in  thee  above  every 
human  refuge,  and  realize  that  thou  art  able  by  thy 
power,  and  willing  in  thy  mercy,  to  heal  her  griefs, 
and  supply  her  need.  Pour  thou  the  oil  of  conso- 
lation into  her  bereaved  and  aching  bosom,  and 
cause  her  heart  to  sing  for  joy,  because  of  thy  com- 
forts. Raise  up  for  her  those  whose  sympathies 
will  cheer  her  wounded  spirit,  whose  counsels  will 
encourage  her  sinking  hopes,  and  whose  help 
will  assist  her  in  struggling  with  a  selfish  and 
unfeeling  world.  Protect  her  from  unkindness  and 
oppression.  Open  up  for  her  a  pathway  of  peace 
and  plenty. 

Blessed  Jesus,  make  her  thine  in  the  espousals 
of  thy  love.  Thou  canst  be  more  unto  her  than  he 
whose  cherished  presence  and  affection  she  has  lost. 
Thou  art  able  to  turn  her  darkness  into  light,  her 
grief  into  joy,  and  her  want  into  abundance.  Thou 
canst  teach  her,  in  the  day  of  her  afllicting  visita- 
tion, the  things  which  belong  to  her  peace,  and 
make  the  time  of  her  earthly  loss,  the  season  of 


296 

her  eternal  gain.  Be  ihou  unto  her  the  chief 
among  ten  thousand,  and  one  altogether  lovely.  Say 
unto  her,  "Fear  not,  I  am  with  thee  ;  I,  even  I,  am 
he  that  comforteth  thee  :  thy  Maker  is  thy  hus- 
band." 

WILL. 

Sovereign  of  the  Universe,  sanctify  my  will. 
Give  it  grace  always  to  choose  that  which  is  good, 
and  to  reject  that  which  is  evil.  I  would  lament 
before  thee  its  proneness  to  forsake  thy  holy  law, 
and  to  follow  after  selfish  pleasure.  That  faculty 
which  thou  didst  put  within  me,  to  guide  me  to 
righteous  obedience,  alas !  how  often  does  it  urge 
me  on  to  unholy  rebellion.  Lord,  restore  it  to  that 
strength  and  purity,  which  it  enjoyed  when  thou 
didst  first  send  forth  man  from  thy  creating  power, 
in  thine  own  blessed  image.  O  let  me  not  choose 
any  thing  that  is  opposed  to  thy  holy  will.  Cleanse 
thou  the  fountain  of  my  desires,  and  make  it  as  a 
well  of  living  water,  springing  up  into  everlasting 
life. 

WILL  OF  GOD. — See  Obedience,  Submission. 

WINTER. 

Lord,  who  can  stand  before  thy  cold  ?  Thou  giv- 
est  snow  like  wool,  and  scatterest  the  hoar-frost 
like  ashes.  By  thy  breath  the  breadth  of  the  waters 
is  straitened.  The  singing  of  birds  has  yielded  to 
the  sighing  of  winds,  and  the  howling  of  tempests. 
The  trees  which  once  hung  out  their  garments  of 
verdure,  and  ornaments  of  fruit,  to  please  the  eye, 
and  regale  the  taste  of  man,  now  spread  their  naked 
and  unsightly  limbs  over  a  barren  landscape  ;  and 
the  earth  that  lately  teemed  with  the  beauty  and 


297 

abundance  of  life,  is  now  wrapped  in  the  cold  wind- 
ingsheet  of  nature  ! 

Yet,  O  Lord,  let  me  not  be  heedless  of  thy  mercy 
and  wisdom,  in  the  arrangements  of  even  these 
gloomy  months.  In  the  midst  of  all  this  barrenness, 
thou  preservest  the  life  of  man  and  beast.  Behold 
the  fowls  of  the  air,  which  neither  sow,  nor  reap, 
nor  gather  into  barns  ;  yet  our  Heavenly  Father 
feedeth  them.  These  seeming  desolations  are  the 
repose  of  nature  ;  and  thou  art  keeping  in  safety  be- 
neath them,  the  germs  of  seedtime  and  the  promise 
of  harvest.  In  due  time  thou  wilt  bring  forth,  re- 
freshed and  renewed  by  the  sleep  of  Winter,  the 
green  herb,  the  waving  leaf,  the  smiling  flower,  and 
the  rushing  waters,  to  cheer  and  bless  the  heart  of 
man,  and  praise  and  magnify  the  greatness  of 
God. 

Merciful  Father,  I  thank  thee  for  the  abundant 
food,  the  convenient  raiment,  and  the  protecting 
home  I  enjoy,  in  the  inclemency  that  surrounds  me. 
May  the  rigours  of  the  season  be  strong  and  unfailing 
motives  for  gratitude  to  God,  and  mercy  to  man. 
Cause  my  heart  to  abound  with  pity  to  the  destitute. 
Let  me  not  say  to  them,  with  heartless  charity, 
"Be  ye  warmed  and  filled  ;"  and  notwithstanding, 
give  them  not  those  things  which  are  needful  for 
the  body.  Dispose  me  to  open  my  hand  to  the 
needy — remembering  that  thou  hast  said,  "  Blessed 
is  he  that  considereth  the  poor.'1 

Lord,  may  I  regard  this  season  as  the  emblem  of 
adversity.  Life  is  indeed  not  all  sunshine,  and  plea- 
sure, and  plenty.  It  has  its  days  and  months  of 
darkness,  and  sorrow,  and  want.  O  prepare  me, 
by  the  grace  that  is  derived  through  Jesus,  for  its 
severest  vicissitudes.  Make  me  feel  that  I  deserve 


298 

to  have  my  joys  withered,  and  my  hopes  blasted; 
and  that  thou  wilt  be  fulfilling  only  the  dictates  of 
merciful  justice,  if  thou  shouldst  at  times  withhold 
thy  favour,  and  visit  me  with  thy  frown,  in  this 
world,  that  thou  mayest  save  me  from  destruction, 
in  the  world  to  come. 

Teach  me  to  look  on  Winter  as  the  type  of  the 
grave.  As  thou  buriest  the  beauty  and  excellence 
of  the  earth  in  its  icy  shroud,  so  thou  hidest  the 
generations  of  men  beneath  the  clods  of  the  valley. 
And  as  thou  wilt  bring  forth  from  this  tomb  of  the 
year,  the  fertile  beauty  of  the  spring;  so  thou  wilt 
bring  up  from  the  long  desolation  of  death,  that 
which  was  sown  in  dishonour,  that  it  may  be  raised 
in  glory  !  Lord,  grant  that  in  the  renewing  power 
of  that  great  day,  I  may  share  in  the  resurrection 
of  the  just,  and  enjoy  the  light  of  thy  countenance, 
and  the  bliss  of  thy  love,  forever ! 

WISDOM. 

Lord,  thou  hast  said  that  if  any  man  lack  wisdom 
let  him  ask  of  thee,  and  it  shall  be  given  him.  I 
would  come  before  thee,  Merciful  Father,  feeling 
the  weakness  of  my  judgment,  and  its  unfitness, 
without  strength  from  thee,  to  enable  me  to  discharge 
aright  the  various  duties  of  life.  I  pray  thee,  keep 
my  understanding  from  error,  fill  it  with  knowledge, 
and  govern  it  by  prudence.  Especially  do  thou 
give  me  that  wisdom  that  is  from  above,  which  is 
first  pure,  then  peaceable,  gentle,  easy  to  be  entreat- 
ed, full  of  mercy  and  good  fruits,  without  partiality, 
and  without  hypocrisy.  Vouchsafe  unto  me  the 
spirit  of  wisdom  and  revelation  in  the  knowledge 
of  Jesus,  that  the  eyes  of  my  understanding  being 
enlightened,  I  may  know  what  is  the  hope  of  his 


299 

calling,  and  what  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  his  in- 
heritance in  the  saints.  And  grant  me,  the  blessed- 
ness of  knowing,  by  my  own  experience,  that  he 
that  winneth  souls  is  wise. 

WISDOM     OF     GOD. 

Great  God,  who  hath  been  thy  counsellor,  or 
who  hath  directed  thy  judgment?  Lo,  thou  work- 
est  all  things  according  to  the  counsels  of  thine  own 
will.  O  Lord,  how  manifold  are  thy  works  :  in 
wisdom  thou  hast  made  them  all.  Thy  discerning 
and  directing  mind  is  seen  everywhere  in  the 
works  of  thy  hands,  in  the  ways  of  thy  providence, 
and  in  the  government  of  thy  creatures.  Thou 
choosest  thine  ends,  and  framest  all  thy  means  ac- 
cording to  knowledge.  Thy  counsels  are  steadfast, 
thy  thoughts  are  deep,  and  thine  understanding  is 
infinite. 

O  Lord,  thou  hast  gathered,  as  into  a  radiant 
focus,  the  power  and  glory  of  thy  wisdom,  in  the 
work  of  redemption.  Into  this  the  angels  desire 
to  look ;  but  they  cannot  measure  its  matchless 
strength  and  fulness.  Herein  are  those  mysteries 
of  thy  grace — God  manifest  in  the  flesh — he  ivho 
knew  no  sin  was  made  sin  for  us — while  we  ivere 
sinners  Christ  died  for  us — thou  canst  be  just, 
and  still  be  the  justifier  of  him  that  believeth  in 
Jesus!  O,  the  depth  of  the  riches  both  of  the  wis- 
dom and  knowledge  of  God  :  how  unsearchable  are 
his  judgments  and  his  ways  past  finding  out ! 

Omniscient  Jehovah,  I  desire  to  put  all  my  trust 
in  thee  ;  for  thou  knowest  both  how  to  provide  and 
to  deliver.  I  would  acknowledge  thee  with  prayer 
in  all  my  ways  ;  for  thou  only  canst  direct  my  steps. 
1  would  submit  to  thy  will,  which  is  the  perfection 


300 

of  reason.  And  I  would  adore  thee,  because  thou 
art  infinite,  eternal,  and  unchangeable  in  thy  wis- 
dom ! 

WORLD. 

Lord,  keep  me  from  conformity  to  the  world. 
May  I  use  it,  as  not  abusing  it ;  having  my  affec- 
tions set  on  things  above,  and  not  on  things  on  the 
earth.  Show  me  that  its  pleasures  are  few  in  num- 
ber, brief  in  existence,  unsatisfying  in  their  nature, 
and  corrupting  in  their  influence.  Let  me  not  seek 
to  unite  the  service  of  God  and  mammon.  Lord, 
I  would  love  and  hold  to  thee,  and  hate  and  despise 
the  other.  O,  what  is  a  man  profited,  if  he  should 
gain  the  whole  world,  and  lose  his  own  soul  ?  As- 
sist me,  I  pray  thee,  to  pass  the  time  of  my  sojourn- 
ing here  in  fear,  knowing  that  it  is  a  sphere  of  dan- 
ger, in  which  my  heart  is  tempted  to  wander  from 
God,  to  forget  eternity,  to  neglect  my  noblest  duties, 
and  to  live  in  sense  and  sin.  I  cannot,  and  indeed 
1  should  not  desire  to,  withdraw  from  the  business 
of  the  world,  and  from  intercourse  with  worldly 
men  ;  but  I  beseech  thee,  0  Lord,  that  thou  wouldst 
abide  with  me  on  all  those  occasions  which  require 
me  to  mingle  with  such  scenes  and  companions. 
Teach  me  thy  way,  and  lead  me  in  a  plain  path, 
for  the  sake  of  my  own  purity,  and  the  welfare  of 
them  that  observe  me.  Let  me  not  pollute  my  own 
soul,  by  being  a  partaker  of  ungodliness.  Make 
me  an  epistle  of  Christ,  known  and  read  of  all  men. 
May  my  words  be  fitly  spoken,  and  my  conduct  be 
according  to  godliness.  Give  me  grace  to  walk  in 
wisdom  to  them  that  are  without,  persuading  them 
to  taste  and  see  that  the  Lord  is  good,  and  teaching 
them  that  religion's  ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness, 
and  that  all  her  paths  are  peace. 


301 

Gracious  God,  open  my  eyes  to  the  moral  condi- 
tion of  this  world,  that  lieth  in  wickedness.  Un- 
fold to  me  its  Pagan  idolatry  and  Mahommedan 
delusion ;  its  Jewish  unbelief  and  Papal  corrup- 
tions ;  its  religious  heresies  and  infidel  deceptions ; 
its  bloody  wars  and  cruel  oppressions  ;  its  open 
wickedness  and  secret  abominations.  O  that  pity, 
and  grief,  and  zeal  might  fill  my  soul  as  it  dwells  on 
these  works  of  evil.  Lord,  cast  them  out,  and  let 
truth,  love,  and  holiness  fill  the  earth,  as  the  waters 
cover  the  sea. 

WORSHIP. 

Adorable  Jehovah,  thou  art  exalted  above  princi- 
palities and  powers,  that  at  thy  name  every  knee 
should  bow,  and  every  tojigue  confess.  All  thy 
works  praise  thee.  Bestow  on  me,  in  the  name  of 
Jesus,  that  grace  which  will  qualify  me  to  worship 
thee  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  Let  me  not  seek  to  draw 
nigh  to  thee  with  my  lips,  while  my  heart  is  far 
from  thee  ;  nor  take  the  attitude  of  devotion,  while 
my  thoughts  wander  among  the  cares  and  pleasures 
of  life.  If  the  language  of  insincerity  be  offensive 
when  offered  to  a  fellow-being,  how  much  more 
when  it  is  presented  to  the  God  of  Truth  !  May 
strong  convictions  of  thy  greatness  and  presence  rest 
upon  me,  and  make  me  suitably  afraid.  Make  me 
feel  that  I  am  unworthy  of  the  least  of  thy  mercies, 
and  that  if  thou  wert  strict  to  mark  iniquity,  I  dare 
not  come  before  thee,  but  should  take  up  my  abode 
where  there  is  no  mercy-seat,  and  no  answer  of 
peace  to  the  cry  of  despairing  want. 

Gracious  God,  let  all  my  approaches  to  thee  be 
in  humble  reliance  upon  the  merits  of  Christ.  Give 
me  such  an  impression  of  thy  goodness,  in  the  boun- 
26 


302 

ties  of  thy  providence  and  the  covenant  of  thy  grace, 
that  I  shall  go  to  thee  with  the  love  and  confidence 
of  a  child  to  its  father ;  for  if  earthly  parents  know 
how  to  give  good  gifts  to  their  children,  much  more 
will  our  Heavenly  Father  give  his  Holy  Spirit  to 
them  that  ask  him.  Lord,  grant  me  such  views  of 
thy  character,  and  of  my  own  wants  and  those  of 
mankind,  as  shall  dispose  me  to  magnify  thy  name, 
with  an  adoring  and  grateful  spirit,  and  lead  me  to 
seek  thy  favour  by  fervent  and  believing  supplication. 
Lord,  bless  the  assemblies  of  thy  saints.  May 
reverence,  love,  and  faith,  animate  their  devotions. 
May  thy  praise  be  sung  with  holy  affections  ;  thy 
favour  be  sought  with  believing  hearts  ;  thy  word 
be  preached  in  the  demonstration  of  the  Spirit,  and 
be  heard  as  a  message  of  divine  wisdom  and  mercy. 
Bring  into  thy  sanctuaries  those  who  neglect  thy 
worship  ;  and  fill  thy  courts  with  such  as  live  re- 
gardless of  thy  statutes.  Grant,  O  Lord,  that  all 
the  solemn  feasts  of  thy  house  may  be  seasons  of  re- 
freshing from  thy  presence,  in  which  saints  shall 
grow  in  grace,  and  many  prodigals  be  brought  into 
the  adoption  of  the  sons  of  God ;  to  the  glory 
of  thy  mercy  in  Jesus,  both  now  and  forever. 

YOUNG    CONVERTS. 

Gracious  God,  behold  in  special  mercy,  those 
who  have  been  recently  born  again,  and  who  are 
still  in  the  infancy  of  spiritual  life.  Chase  away 
forever  the  cloud  of  condemnation  that  has  so  long 
hung  over  them,  and  on  its  retiring  darkness,  cast 
thy  bow  of  promise,  speaking  peace  to  their  souls. 
Let  Jesus  be  the  abiding  and  absorbing  centre  of 
their  hopes  ;  and  may  they  cheerfully  profess  his 
name  before  men.  May  they  strive  to  make  holi- 


303 

ness  the  law  of  all  their  conduct.  Let  thy  spirit 
sanctify  their  hearts  from  every  corruption,  and  lead 
them  into  the  knowledge  and  love  of  every  truth. 
Preserve  their  pliant  minds  from  the  reception  of 
those  errors,  which  pervert  the  judgment  and  ob- 
scure the  piety  of  so  many  in  the  church.  Animate 
them  by  a  pure,  and  wise,  and  steadfast  zeal  to  pro- 
mote thy  cause,  in  the  salvation  of  sinners  ;  and 
let  them  regard  no  sacrifice  too  expensive,  no  labour 
too  toilsome,  and  no  suffering  too  severe,  which 
thou  mayest  demand  of  them,  in  building  up  thy 
kingdom  on  earth. 

Lord,  cause  the  honour  of  thy  name  to  be  the 
leading  impulse  of  their  lives.  Make  thy  word 
their  daily  counsel.  May  they  live  at  the  throne 
of  grace.  Let  self-examination  keep  its  constant 
watch  over  their  hearts.  Permit  them  not  to  tam- 
per with  temptation.  Keep  them  from  conformity 
to  the  world.  Suffer  them  not  to  decline  from  their 
first  love  ;  but  cause  it  to  grow  stronger  and  strong- 
er.— Lord  give  completeness  to  their  Christian  cha- 
racter. Do  thou  blend  in  them  zeal  with  depend- 
ence, confidence  with  humility,  and  joy  with  obe- 
dience. Write  thy  will  upon  every  rising  desire, 
and  let  every  action  be  moulded  according  to  thy 
good  pleasure.  Bring  them  speedily,  O  God,  unto 
the  measure  of  the  stature  of  the  fulness  of  Christ! 

YOUTH. 

Heavenly  Father,  bless  our  youth.  Preserve  them 
from  the  corrupting  dangers  which  so  easily  affect 
and  control  their  forming  characters.  Keep  their 
hopes,  and  judgments,  and  affections  from  pursuing 
the  things  which  bring  ruin  on  the  soul.  Incline 
them  now  to  seek  thy  service,  ere  the  cares  of  this 


304 

world,  the  deceitfulness  of  riches,  and  the  lusts  of 
the  flesh,  harden  their  hearts,  stifle  their  conscien- 
ces, and  cause  them  to  turn  a  deaf  ear  to  the  calls 
of  mercy.  Suffer  them  not  to  put  off  the  claims  of 
religion  to  what  they  vainly  think  a  more  conven'ent 
season.  May  they  learn  that  youth  is  the  time  to 
serve  the  Lord ;  that  now  is  their  accepted  time  and 
day  of  salvation  :  while,  if  they  put  off  repentance 
and  faith,  sin  will  gather  fearful  strength  in  their 
souls,  and  make  their  redemption  more  and  more 
hopeless.  Lord,  may  they  remember  that  the  ten- 
derest  tokens  of  thy  love  have  been  directed  towards 
the  young.  Thou  hast  urged  them  with  the  most 
persuasive  entreaties,  to  give  thee  their  hearts,  and 
hast  promised  that  those  who  seek  thee  early  shall 
find  thee,  and  rejoice  in  thee  all  their  days.  But 
O,  if  such  will  continue  to  refuse  instruction,  and 
despise  reproof,  they  shall  eat  of  the  fruit  of  their 
own  ways,  and  be  filled  with  their  own  devices. 

Merciful  God,  restore  every  wandering  prodigaL 
— Watch  over  all  who  are  absent  from  the  whole^ 
some  restraints  of  home.  Let  them  not  walk  in  the 
counsel  of  the  ungodly.  May  they  shun,  as  they 
would  the  pestilence,  the  dwelling  of  the  syren,  the 
table  of  the  gamester,  the  seat  of  the  playhouse,, 
and  the  cup  of  the  drunkard. — Cause  the  memory 
of  parental  toil,  and  love,  and  hope,  to  turn  them 
back  from  the  way  of  sinners.  Throw  around  them 
the  protecting  shelter  of  morality,  and  put  within 
them  the  controlling  power  of  grace. 

Lord,  thou  knowest  that  our  youth  are  the  ex- 
pectation of  the  church,  and  the  hope  of  our  race. 
The  history  of  the  world  in  future  ages,  will  be  de- 
termined by  the  character  of  those  who  are  now 
training  for  the  responsibilities  of  life.  If  they  shall 


805 

be  nurtured  in  righteousness,  then  humanity  and 
piety  shall  rejoice  in  their  labours  :  but  if  they  shall 
be  tutored  in  the  lessons  of  vice,  then  the  precious 
interests  of  mankind  shall  mourn  because  of  them. 
O  do  thou  make  the  rising  generation  the  instru- 
ments of  introducing  the  blessings  of  the  Millen- 
nium, and  not  the  means  of  thrusting  back  into 
future  ages,  that  latter-day  glory.  Bring  multitudes 
of  them  into  the  household  of  faith.  Enlist  their 
warm  feelings  and  self-denying  zeal,  in  behalf  of 
religious  enterprises.  May  they  enter  with  glad- 
ness and  energy,  into  those  fields  that  lie  fallow — 
or  those  that  grow  ripe  for  the  harvest — and  gather 
fruit  abundantly,  for  the  garners  of  eternal  life. — 
[See  CHILDREN,  and  EARLY  PIETY.] 

ZEAL. 

O  thou  that  lovest  them  that  obey  thee,  make  me 
zealous  of  good  works.  Grant  me  that  zeal  which 
is  according  to  wisdom,  love,  and  holiness.  Reprove 
my  lukewarmness,  my  instability,  and  my  back- 
sliding. Let  not  my  pursuits  of  earthly  things, 
which  perish  in  the  using,  excite  me  to  more  ener- 
gy and  perseverance,  than  the  strong  and  urgent 
claims  of  obedience  to  thy  commands.  Lead  me 
to  inquire  diligently,  what  thou  wilt  have  me  to  do  ; 
for  I  am  bound  to  glorify  thee  in  my  body  and  spirit 
which  are  thine.  May  I  hear  the  language  of  thy 
word,  and  the  voice  of  thy  providence,  calling  me 
to  gird  up  my  loins  in  thy  service.  Stimulate  my 
diligence  by  the  records  of  thy  saints,  who  have 
devoted  their  lives  and  their  all,  to  doing  good. 
Fix  in  my  memory,  I  pray  thee,  the  noble  example 
of  Christ,  who  took  upon  himself  the  form  of  a 
servant,  and  became  obedient  unto  death,  even  the 
26* 


306 

death  of  the  cross,  that  the  culprits  of  heavenly  jus- 
tice might  be  saved  from  their  condemnation. — O 
Lord,  enable  me  to  realize  the  unspeakable  value  of 
religious  duties,  undertaken  in  thy  strength,  in  sav- 
ing souls  from  death,  in  comforting  and  strengthen- 
ing my  own  heart,  and  in  procuring,  through  thy 
mercy  in  Christ,  thy  favour  in  this  world,  and  thy 
blessedness  in  that  which  is  to  come.  What  my 
hand  findeth  to  do,  may  I  do  it  with  my  might. 
Heavenly  Father,  make  me  fervent  in  spirit,  serving 
the  Lord.  And  while  the  blessing  of  my  zeal  in 
thy  service  shall  be  mine,  the  praise  of  it  shall  be 
thine,  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  forever.  Amen. 


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